Filters, Heaters & Lighting

Start here for filters, heaters & lighting essentials and reviews. This hub compares canister, HOB, and internal filters by real flow rates, media volume, noise, and maintenance. For heaters, we focus on thermostat accuracy, build quality, safety features, and wattage sizing by tank volume. Lighting guides cover PAR, spread, spectrum, and mounting for low-tech and high-tech planted tanks. Each article explains what to buy, how to size it, and when to upgrade—plus pros/cons and long-term reliability notes. Use this page to shortlist gear by tank size and budget, then jump into detailed roundups and hands-on reviews for the models that fit your setup.