Planted tanks, fewer myths.
Independent buyer guides for setup, plants, substrate, and equipment. Spec-led comparisons, written by a hobbyist who has actually run a CO2-injected tank — and is happy to tell you which gear you can skip.
Read the starter guide →Specs cross-checked against manufacturer listings and Amazon · No fake hands-on claims · Updated monthly
Choose your path
Three doors. The low-tech vs high-tech fork is the single biggest decision in this hobby — and the homepage is where we want you to make it.
Where to start
Setup
Tank size, kits, the low-tech vs high-tech fork, aquascaping tools — the foundation decisions.
View guides →Plants
Beginner-friendly species, light-level pairings, and where to actually buy live plants online.
View guides →Substrate & Fertiliser
Aquasoil vs inert, the cap method, root tabs, liquid dosing — what your plants actually need.
View guides →Equipment
LED lights, filters, heaters, CO2 systems — sized by tank, not by marketing copy.
View guides →The four guides most readers start with
Best planted aquarium kits
Kits compared at the 10, 20, 29 and 55 gallon sizes — what is included and what is missing.
Anubias buyer & care guide
The easiest plant in the hobby — Nana, Petite, Coffeefolia, Barteri compared and explained.
Best aquarium soil
Aquasoil vs inert, the cap method, and the soils worth paying for.
Best LED light for a planted tank
Sized by PAR and tank depth — Fluval, Finnex, Chihiros and Twinstar side by side.
Who writes here
Planted Tank Hub is edited by Elliot Reyes, a long-time hobbyist running a 60-gallon mid-tech tank in Portland, Oregon. Articles also come from rotating contributors — each piece shows its author at the top, with Elliot on the editing line. Read more about how we work →