How much substrate do I need for a 60P (60 x 30 x 36 cm) tank?

For a 60 x 30 cm footprint at a 3 inch average depth you need about 14 litres: roughly 14 kg of aqua soil or 21 kg of sand. At 2 inches it is 9 litres.

What size heater for a 60P (60 x 30 x 36 cm) planted tank?

A 50 W heater. Once substrate and rock are in, a 60P (60 x 30 x 36 cm) holds about 48 litres (12.7 gallons) of water, which works out to 3.9 W per gallon.

How much filter flow does a 60P (60 x 30 x 36 cm) planted tank need?

Aim for 190-290 litres per hour, which turns the water over 4 to 6 times an hour. Planted tanks like steady, gentle flow rather than a jet.

What size is a 60P aquarium?

60 x 30 x 36 cm, or about 23.6 x 11.8 x 14.2 inches. That is 64 litres (17 US gallons) gross, around 55 litres of water once substrate and rock go in.

60P (60 x 30 x 36 cm) planted tank setup

The rimless 60 cm standard most aquascape contests and tutorials use. 64 litres, ultra-clear glass, nothing to hide behind.

Dimensions: 60x30x36 cm; 23.6 x 11.8 x 14.2 in outer
Water volume: 48 L; 65 L (17.1 gal) gross, less substrate and rock
Substrate, 3 in average: 14 L; 14 kg aqua soil or 21 kg sand
Heater: 50 W; 3.9 W per gallon
Filter flow: 190-290; litres per hour, 4-6x turnover
Light timer: 7-8 hours; with CO2 running

Lighting

A 60 cm tank needs a bar that covers the full length so the ends do not go dark.

Fits this tank

Aurora 48 Planted Tank LED Bar

48 cm bar, fits 48 to 61 cm tanks; your tank is 60 cm long.

$73

Filtration

Target 190-290 L/h for a planted tank this size.

Right-sized filter

Hang-On-Back Waterfall Filter — 3-Stage, 250 L/H

250 L/h hang-on-back, rated for tanks up to about 80 L.

$17

CO2

Recommended. At 48 litres a pressurised system is the easiest way to hold steady CO2 for carpets and stems.

CO2 option

CO2 Starter Kit - Regulator, Diffuser & Checker

Regulator with solenoid, atomiser and drop checker; you add a refillable cylinder.

$110

Substrate by depth

Slope it: shallower at the front glass, deeper at the back. The average depth is what sets how much you buy.

2 in average

9 L

9 kg soil, 14 kg sand

3 in average

14 L

14 kg soil, 21 kg sand

4 in average

18 L

18 kg soil, 27 kg sand

Custom tank? Use the substrate calculator

What to plant

Suits: Iwagumi or nature aquarium built for a rimless, open-top display.

Monte Carlo or Glossostigma carpet with CO2
Hemianthus callitrichoides for advanced carpets
Rotala wallichii and Ludwigia for a red accent
Mini Bucephalandra on the main stones

Fish and shrimp

A single school of 15 small fish such as ember tetras or green neons, plus amano shrimp. Keep it to one species for a clean look.

Mistakes that cost people this tank

1Visible equipment. On a rimless tank every pipe shows; glass lily pipes and a clear drop checker keep it clean.
2Skipping the dry start or the high-CO2 start. Carpets in a 60P fill in weeks with CO2 from day one, months without.
3Light overhang. A 60 cm tank needs a bar that fits 48 to 61 cm, mounted with legs, not a clip.

Quick answers

How much substrate do I need for a 60P (60 x 30 x 36 cm) tank?: For a 60 x 30 cm footprint at a 3 inch average depth you need about 14 litres: roughly 14 kg of aqua soil or 21 kg of sand. At 2 inches it is 9 litres.
What size heater for a 60P (60 x 30 x 36 cm) planted tank?: A 50 W heater. Once substrate and rock are in, a 60P (60 x 30 x 36 cm) holds about 48 litres (12.7 gallons) of water, which works out to 3.9 W per gallon.
How much filter flow does a 60P (60 x 30 x 36 cm) planted tank need?: Aim for 190-290 litres per hour, which turns the water over 4 to 6 times an hour. Planted tanks like steady, gentle flow rather than a jet.
What size is a 60P aquarium?: 60 x 30 x 36 cm, or about 23.6 x 11.8 x 14.2 inches. That is 64 litres (17 US gallons) gross, around 55 litres of water once substrate and rock go in.