Best Aquarium For Live Plants

Hi, I’m getting an idea the past couple days, I’m interested in a moderately to densely planted aquarium.. with shrimp a school of small fish and oodles of plants. However I’m not sure what to buy. I want one that’s long for the schooling fish and low enough that I don’t need a diving suit to get down to the bottom... and please put in your suggestions for a good light and hardy plants... thanks in advance


P.s. I’m on a budget

 

20 long!

Get one at the next Petco $ per gallon sale.

 

Sweet...! So what would u recommend for a light? Under 60 or 70 bucks... and plants! I’m dosing ferts but no co2. Flourish and root tabs. Thanks for the trouble

 

I have a Beamswork light on my 20 long.

I forgot the model, but it was the most powerful one they had on Amazon. I got it for ~$40-$50.

It has white, blue, red, and green LEDs.

 

Looks good! But I have a couple questions, first is it too much light for low tech plants? Anubias, java ferns-the basic ones... do the colored lights have a purpose besides for looks? It’s my first
time I’m going to do a planted tank and any input would be greatly appreciated thanks

Would you have a link? Do you think Beamswork is better than finnex? There are to many to choose from

 

Imo the finnex are stronger than beamswork....so if you plan to dose ferts and possible co2 they support better plant growth. I go stronger....you can always add floating plants to dI'm things a bit if needed.

If you want plants to just stay pretty go with beamswork, for growth I’d say finnex.

Also the colored lights are supposed to be full spectrum like sunlight so they do have a purpose besides appearance.

 

Ok thanks. So I’m not going to go with co2... just ferts. Could you look at the finnex stingray , would it be enough for low light plants? I don’t want to much light because of algae. And I want to see growth. With my light now they’re just staying as pretty as I bought them. Thanks

 

Finnex's in general are really good lights, but when you said on a "budget" most people don't count Finnex lights as "budget" lights. Usually they are 70$+ (Unless you find them clearance out somewhere, have a coupon, etc). But they are REALLY good lights, don't get me wrong. Just wouldn't be my first suggestion for a budget set up. For a non budget set up, it would be. You should be fine.

Most people going with the Planted Plus or Planted from Finnex.

 

I have a finnex 24/7 planted and it’s a good light. I also have 3 Beamworks. My plants do as well with the Beamworks.

I may buy another finnex for a real show tank, but for just plant growth, I wil save $$$ and go with the Beamworks.

Just my opinion.

Edit: all of these lights have been working for 6+ months. Can’t tell you what the long term results are.

 

Thanks for the help I think I’ll go with beam works