# AquariumTested

> Aquarium equipment guides: tanks and stands, canister, HOB and sponge filters, heaters, planted and reef lighting, protein skimmers, test kits and aquascaping, sized to your tank and livestock.

AquariumTested publishes aquarium equipment reviews, buying guides and reader discount codes. Every review states who the product suits, the current price from the brand's own store, and any active reader code.

## Key pages
- [Reviews](https://aquariumtested.com/reviews): every product we recommend
- [Buying guides](https://aquariumtested.com/guides): how to choose
- [Deals and codes](https://aquariumtested.com/deals): every active reader code
- [Glossary](https://aquariumtested.com/glossary): aquarium equipment terms defined
- [How we test](https://aquariumtested.com/testing-methodology)

## Topics
- [Tanks & filtration](https://aquariumtested.com/category/tanks-filtration): Nano to large tanks, stands, canister, hang-on-back, sponge and sump filtration.
- [Heat, light & flow](https://aquariumtested.com/category/heat-light-flow): Heaters and controllers, chillers, planted and reef LED lighting, pumps and wavemakers.
- [Water & testing](https://aquariumtested.com/category/water-testing): Freshwater and reef test kits, conditioners, RO water, salt mixes and refractometers.
- [Reef systems](https://aquariumtested.com/category/reef): Protein skimmers, dosing pumps, reactors, auto top-off and controllers.
- [Aquascaping & care](https://aquariumtested.com/category/aquascaping): Substrates, hardscape, CO2 systems, tools, automatic feeders and maintenance gear.
- [Breeding & quarantine](https://aquariumtested.com/category/breeding-quarantine): Quarantine and hospital tanks, breeding setups, livestock transport and battery backups for outages.

## Buying guides
- [Aquarium Filter Media: Mechanical, Biological and Chemical](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-filter-media-guide): Mechanical media traps debris, biological media provides surfaces for nitrifying bacteria, and chemical media targets particular dissolved substances. Select each for a defined job.
- [Aquarium Filter Types and Sizing: Canister, HOB, Sponge and Sump](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-filter-types-and-sizing): Hang-on-back filters are simple and good for small to mid tanks; canister filters hold more media and stay quiet under the stand for larger tanks; sponge filters are gentle and cheap for fry, shrimp and quarantine; sumps give the most capacity for big and reef systems. Many keepers size a freshwater filter to turn the tank volume over about four to six times per hour, adjusted for stocking and fish that prefer gentle flow.
- [Aquarium Heater Controller vs Built-In Thermostat](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-heater-controller-vs-built-in-thermostat): A built-in thermostat cycles one heater around its set temperature. An external controller measures with a separate probe and switches compatible equipment; check ratings and instructions.
- [Aquarium Heater Size Guide: Watts per Gallon and Controllers](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-heater-size-guide): A common starting point is about 3 to 5 watts per gallon, but the right heater depends on tank size, minimum room temperature and the temperature increase needed. Large tanks may use multiple heaters; follow the heater maker's sizing chart. An external temperature controller adds a separate cutoff. Place heaters in good flow, guard them from large fish, and unplug before water changes.
- [The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle: How to Cycle a New Tank](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-nitrogen-cycle-guide): Before adding fish, a new aquarium needs a colony of beneficial bacteria that turns ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate. During fishless cycling, add an ammonia source and test until ammonia and nitrite read zero and nitrate is present, following a consistent cycling protocol. It takes several weeks in many systems, and temperature and water conditions affect the timing.
- [Aquascaping Basics: Substrate, Hardscape and CO2](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquascaping-substrate-and-co2-basics): Aquascapes start with substrate and hardscape. Substrate effects vary by product: some aqua soils supply nutrients or influence water chemistry, while other planted substrates are stable. Match fertilizer to plant type, light and product instructions.
- [Freshwater vs Saltwater Aquarium: Startup and Running Costs](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/freshwater-vs-saltwater-aquarium-cost): Freshwater tanks cost less to set up and run, need simpler equipment and are more forgiving for beginners. Saltwater fish-only tanks add salt mix, RO water, a refractometer and stronger flow. Reef tanks add high-output lighting, protein skimming and careful chemistry, and cost the most. Plan for the tank size the animals need as adults; bigger tanks are often more stable.
- [Liquid vs Strip vs Digital Aquarium Test Kits](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/liquid-vs-strip-vs-digital-aquarium-test-kits): Test strips are quick to read by color chart, liquid kits use measured reagents, and digital checkers display a reading for selected parameters. Choose by parameter and instructions.
- [Long vs Tall Aquarium Tanks: Footprint and Swim Space](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/long-vs-tall-aquarium-tanks): Long tanks offer more front-to-back footprint and swimming length; tall tanks fit narrower spaces but reduce horizontal room. Match the tank shape to livestock, room and equipment.
- [Manual vs Automatic Top-Off for Reef Aquariums](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/manual-vs-automatic-top-off-reef-aquarium): Manual top-off uses fresh water added by the aquarist; an ATO uses a sensor and pump to replace evaporation from a reservoir. Match the device and refill water to the aquarium.
- [Planted Aquarium Lighting: PAR, Spectrum and Photoperiod](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/planted-aquarium-lighting-guide): Choose a planted tank light by PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) at the substrate, not watts. Roughly 15 to 30 PAR suits low-light plants, 30 to 50 medium, and over 50 high-light plants that usually need CO2 and fertilizer. Deeper tanks need more output. Run a photoperiod of about 6 to 8 hours, increasing slowly, and balance light with nutrients and CO2 to avoid algae.
- [Reef Tank Water Parameters: Salinity, Alkalinity, Calcium and More](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/reef-tank-water-parameters): Reef tanks thrive on stable water. Common targets are salinity of about 1.025 to 1.026 specific gravity (about 35 ppt), temperature 76 to 80°F, alkalinity about 7 to 11 dKH, calcium 400 to 450 ppm, magnesium 1,250 to 1,400 ppm, with low but measurable nitrate and phosphate. Stability matters more than chasing exact numbers, so test regularly and change parameters slowly.
- [RGB vs Full-Spectrum Aquarium Lighting](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/rgb-vs-full-spectrum-aquarium-lighting): RGB fixtures let you adjust red, green and blue output; plant-focused full-spectrum lights may add other color bands. Choose by plant requirements and measured output at depth.
- [Root Tabs vs Liquid Fertilizer for Aquarium Plants](https://aquariumtested.com/guides/root-tabs-vs-liquid-fertilizer-aquarium-plants): Root tabs place nutrients in the substrate for root-feeding plants; liquid fertilizer adds nutrients to the water column. Plant type and product instructions guide the choice.

## Reader codes
- The Bluewater Reef Aquatics discount code is SEBASTIANBASSOL for 10% off at bluewaterreefaquatics.com. Permanent, never expires. On a $100 order, SEBASTIANBASSOL saves $10 and you pay $90. Bluewater Reef Aquatics sells saltwater fish, corals, invertebrates, live rock and dry goods, and ships to the 48 contiguous US states. Also works as the Bluewater Reef Aquatics promo code and coupon code. Page: https://aquariumtested.com/promo/bluewater-reef-aquatics Facts: https://aquariumtested.com/agents/promo/bluewater-reef-aquatics.md

Contact: info@aquariumtested.com