https://aquariumtested.comAquarium 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.en-us https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-filter-media-guidehttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-filter-media-guideChoose and maintain aquarium filter media by debris, biological surface, chemical treatment, water flow, maintenance and the needs of your fish or plants.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-filter-types-and-sizinghttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-filter-types-and-sizingChoose an aquarium filter: hang-on-back, canister, sponge, internal and sump filters, how to size by turnover, mechanical, biological and chemical media.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-heater-controller-vs-built-in-thermostathttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-heater-controller-vs-built-in-thermostatCompare a heater’s built-in thermostat with an external aquarium temperature controller by probe placement, control, setup, alarms and equipment compatibility.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-heater-size-guidehttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-heater-size-guideSize an aquarium heater: watts per gallon by room temperature, one heater vs two, external controllers, placement, guards and how to avoid overheating.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-nitrogen-cycle-guidehttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquarium-nitrogen-cycle-guideHow to cycle a new aquarium: ammonia to nitrite to nitrate, fishless cycling, the test kits you need, how long it takes, and how to know it is finished.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquascaping-substrate-and-co2-basicshttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/aquascaping-substrate-and-co2-basicsStart a planted aquascape: aqua soil vs inert substrate, depth, hardscape stone and wood, when to add pressurized CO2, and plants for beginners.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/freshwater-vs-saltwater-aquarium-costhttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/freshwater-vs-saltwater-aquarium-costFreshwater vs saltwater and reef aquariums compared: equipment, startup cost, livestock prices, running costs, maintenance time and difficulty.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/liquid-vs-strip-vs-digital-aquarium-test-kitshttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/liquid-vs-strip-vs-digital-aquarium-test-kitsCompare liquid reagents, test strips and digital aquarium checkers by parameters measured, reading method, setup, repeatability and ongoing supplies.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/long-vs-tall-aquarium-tankshttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/long-vs-tall-aquarium-tanksCompare long and tall aquarium shapes by floor space, surface area, swimming room, lighting depth, maintenance access, stand fit and livestock needs.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/manual-vs-automatic-top-off-reef-aquariumhttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/manual-vs-automatic-top-off-reef-aquariumCompare manual and automatic aquarium top-off systems by evaporation routine, reservoir, sensor, pump, alarms and fit with a reef sump or display.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/planted-aquarium-lighting-guidehttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/planted-aquarium-lighting-guideChoose planted aquarium lights: PAR for low, medium and high-light plants, spectrum, depth, dimming and photoperiod, balanced with CO2 to limit algae.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/reef-tank-water-parametershttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/reef-tank-water-parametersReef aquarium water parameters: salinity, temperature, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate and phosphate ranges, testing frequency and why stability matters.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/rgb-vs-full-spectrum-aquarium-lightinghttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/rgb-vs-full-spectrum-aquarium-lightingCompare RGB and plant-focused full-spectrum aquarium lights by color control, plant needs, PAR at substrate depth, scheduling and fixture coverage.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://aquariumtested.com/guides/root-tabs-vs-liquid-fertilizer-aquarium-plantshttps://aquariumtested.com/guides/root-tabs-vs-liquid-fertilizer-aquarium-plantsCompare root tabs and liquid fertilizer for aquarium plants by root feeding, water-column nutrients, plant type, placement and dosing routine.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT