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Clear answers for your first planted nano tank.

Forum answers disagree because they skip your setup. These guides ask about your tank first — size, substrate, light — then give one clear answer with the manufacturer’s numbers.

Side view of a 5 gallon rimless nano tank: java fern tied to wood (A), crypt rosettes whose roots feed in the sand (B), root tabs pushed into the sand under the crypts (C), and a sand layer 2 inches deep (D). AJAVA FERNTied to wood,feeds from waterBCRYPTSFeed throughtheir rootsCROOT TABPushed inunder the cryptsDSAND2 indeepFIG. 1 — 5 GALRIMLESS NANO,SIDE VIEW Side view of a 5 gallon rimless nano tank with java fern on wood, crypts, root tabs in the sand and a 2 inch sand layer, marked A to D. ABCD
Fig. 1 — 5 gal rimless nano, side view. Drawing.

Tank Facts

Sand + root tabs or aquasoil? 3 questions, 1 clear answer.

Servingone planted nano tank
Your tankPick one per row
Tank size
Substrate now
Main plants
Example result* 5 gal · sand · java fern + crypts

Root tabs under the crypts, liquid fertilizer for the java fern. No need to swap to aquasoil.

* Example result. Your answer depends on your tank.

  • By Johnny, who keeps a planted tank himself
  • Sources on every page
  • Affiliate links always marked

Guides

Short decisions for a first planted tank of 3 to 10 gallons, without CO2.

How every answer is made

Your setup first
Tank size, substrate, light and plants decide most answers. Every guide asks for them before it answers, and says which situation the answer fits.
The maker’s numbers
Doses and amounts come from the manufacturer’s own instructions. Each guide lists its sources and the date they were checked.
Money in the open
Some links pay a commission. They are marked as affiliate links, and they never decide the answer.

Written by Johnny

Johnny keeps a planted tank himself and writes every guide on this site. The topics are setup, substrate, fertilizer and plants. Fish health and medication are left to vets and experienced fish stores.

About Johnny and how the guides are made