Nano aquascapes — tanks under 60 litres — are one of the most rewarding ways to get into the planted tank hobby. They're compact, affordable, and can be absolutely stunning. But getting the equipment right is crucial: in a small tank, every component matters more. This guide walks you through everything you need for a successful nano aquascape setup.
Choosing Your Tank
For nano aquascapes, the most popular sizes are 30cm (around 20L-30L), 45cm (around 35L-40L), and 60cm (around 60L-65L) tanks. Rimless, open-top tanks are preferred by most aquascapers for their clean look and easier access. Popular choices include the ADA Cube Garden, Ultum Nature Systems (UNS) tanks. However, you can always choose also other brands with the "low-iron" or "crystal glass" aquarium from your local fish shops (LFS) which brings the best viewing experience to you.
Filtration: The Heart of Your Nano Setup
Even in a small tank, good filtration is non-negotiable. For nano aquascapes, canister filters are the gold standard — they're quiet, powerful, and keep all the equipment out of the tank.
Top canister filters for nano tanks:
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OASE FiltoSmart 60 / Eheim Classic 150 (2211) — excellent for 20–30L tanks, very quiet and easy to maintain.
- Eheim Ecco Pro 300, OASE BioMaster 250/350 — strong flow for its size, good for 30–60L
- OASE FiltoSmart 100/200/300 — compact and efficient for nano setups
All of these filters use 9mm / 12mm / 16mm hose connections, which means they pair perfectly with the LitiAquaria Stainless Steel Jet Pipes. The pipes are proportionally ideal for nano tanks — they don't overwhelm the visual space.
Inflow and Outflow: Stainless Steel Jet Pipes
The inflow and outflow pipes are the most visible pieces of equipment in your tank. For nano setups, we strongly recommend stainless steel over glass — the pipes are less likely to break during the frequent maintenance that small tanks require, and they're easier to clean.
The LitiAquaria In/Out Jet Pipe Set includes both the inflow and outflow jet pipe, sized perfectly for nano canister filters. The outflow creates a directed current that distributes CO2 and nutrients evenly across the tank — critical for healthy plant growth in a small tank.
Lighting
Nano tanks need high-quality, controllable lighting. The most popular options for nano aquascapes are:
- Chihiros WRGB II / WRGB II Pro / WRGB II Slim — excellent colour rendering, app-controlled
- Twinstar B/C/E/S Series — high output, slim profile
- Chihiros Vivid II Mini / Chihiros Vivid II — very strong lighting for demanding plant growth
- WeekAqua L/M/V Series
For the cleanest look, hang your light above the tank rather than resting it on the rim. The LitiAquaria Light Hanging Kit works with all the lights above and lets you dial in the exact height for optimal coverage.
CO2 Injection
CO2 is optional but makes a dramatic difference in plant growth and colour. For nano tanks, a small pressurised CO2 system (2-3L cylinder) with a quality regulator and inline diffuser is the most effective approach. Aim for 1 bubble per second for a 30L tank, adjusting based on plant response and fish behaviour.
Substrate
Active substrates like 2hrAquarist FEAST, ADA Aqua Soil, Tropica Aquarium Soil, MasterSoil or JBL ProScape are ideal for planted nano tanks. They buffer pH, provide nutrients, and support healthy root growth. Use a 5–7cm depth for most plants, sloping up toward the back for depth perspective. I usually use base-substrate as a long-term nutrients supply for the tank, namely JBL AquaBasic Plus, Vũ Aqua Substrate (Việt Nam product).
Hardscape
The hardscape — rocks and driftwood — is the structural foundation of your aquascape. Popular choices for nano tanks include Lava rocks, dragon stone, and driftwoods pieces of spiderwood, malayan driftwoods or bonsai driftwood. Keep the scale proportional to your tank size.
Plants for Nano Aquascapes
Choose plants that stay compact and grow slowly to reduce maintenance. Good choices include:
- Foreground: Micranthemum MonteCarlo (MC), Hemianthus callitrichoides (HC Cuba), Eleocharis acicularis 'mini', Marsilea hirsuta, Hygrophilla tripatitia
- Midground: Anubias nana petite, Bucephalandra, mosses (Java moss, Christmas moss), Ludwigia arcuata, Staurogyne repens, Ludwigia 'super red'
- Background: Rotala rotundifolia sp., Pogostemon erectus
Putting It All Together
A well-equipped nano aquascape doesn't need to be expensive — but it does need to be thoughtful. Invest in quality filtration and lighting, use the right pipe size for your filter, and keep the hardscape and plant selection proportional to your tank. The result will be a miniature world that punches well above its size.
Need help choosing the right pipe size for your nano filter? Read our complete filter compatibility guide.