The 2-feet tank (60 × 30 × 30 cm, about 50–60 litres) is the most popular aquarium size in India. It is big enough to be stable and small enough to fit on a table or cabinet. This guide shows exactly which plants to choose for a 2-feet tank, how many you need, three ready-made plant lists for different setups, and what they cost.
Quick answer: For a low-tech 2-feet tank in India (no CO2), the best plants are Anubias Nana and Barteri on driftwood, Java fern and Java moss, Cryptocoryne wendtii in the midground, Vallisneria or Amazon sword at the back, and a few Amazon Frogbit on the surface. Around 8–12 plants give a well-planted look, and a starter set typically costs ₹1,000–₹1,800.
What makes a 2-feet tank different?
A 2-feet tank has enough height and depth for real layering. At 30 cm tall, it suits background plants up to about 25–30 cm, a midground of Crypts and Anubias, and a small foreground. Most 2-feet tanks in India come with a basic LED strip light, which is ideal for low-light plants but not strong enough for demanding carpet plants without CO2. Choosing plants that match that light is the single biggest factor in success.
Best plants for a 2-feet tank by position
| Position | Plant | Height | Light | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Vallisneria Nana (Jungle Val) | 20–40 cm | Low–medium | ₹80 |
| Background | Amazon Sword | 40–50 cm | Medium–high | ₹180 |
| Background | Water Wisteria | 20–40 cm | Low–medium | ₹120 |
| Background | Java Fern | 15–30 cm | Low | ₹175 |
| Midground | Anubias Barteri var. glabra | 20–40 cm | Low | ₹90 |
| Midground | Cryptocoryne wendtii Green | 10–15 cm | Low | ₹150 |
| Midground | Bucephalandra Kedagang | 5–10 cm | Low | ₹399 |
| Foreground | Anubias Nana | 5–10 cm | Low | ₹90 |
| Foreground | Staurogyne Repens | 5–10 cm | Medium | ₹180 |
| On wood / rock | Java Moss | Covers surfaces | Low | ₹120 |
| Surface | Amazon Frogbit | Floating | Medium | ₹90 |
How many plants do you need for a 2-feet tank?
Plan for 8–12 plants for a well-planted look, or 5–6 for a simple, clean scape. A good rule is 2–3 background plants, 3–4 midground plants and 2–3 foreground or hardscape plants, plus a small portion of floaters. Slow growers such as Anubias and Bucephalandra will not fill space quickly, so buy slightly more of them at the start. Fast growers such as Vallisneria and Water Wisteria spread on their own within a couple of months.
Three ready-made plant lists
1. Easiest: low-tech epiphyte tank (no special substrate)
- 1 piece of driftwood with 3 Anubias Nana and 1 Anubias Barteri
- 2 Java Fern tied at the back
- 1 portion Java Moss on rocks
- 1 portion Amazon Frogbit
Works with gravel, sand or even a bare bottom. Great for bettas, gouramis, tetras and shrimp. Plants cost roughly ₹900–₹1,100 at the starting sizes.
2. Low-tech community tank (gravel plus root tabs)
- 3 Vallisneria and 1 Amazon Sword at the back
- 2 Cryptocoryne wendtii in the midground
- 2 Anubias Nana on a rock in front
- 1 Water Wisteria in a back corner
Push root tabs in near the Sword and Crypts every 1–2 months. Plants cost roughly ₹1,000–₹1,200 at the starting sizes.
3. Brighter light or CO2 (more colour and a small carpet)
- Rotala Rotundifolia and Ludwigia Repens for red-toned background stems
- Hygrophila Pinnatifida on hardscape in the midground
- Staurogyne Repens or Monte Carlo for a foreground carpet
- Bucephalandra tucked into rock gaps
Needs a stronger planted-tank LED, nutrient substrate and regular fertiliser, ideally CO2. See our guide to the best aquarium lights in India.
Lighting and maintenance for a 2-feet planted tank
- Light: run the LED 7–8 hours a day on a timer.
- Water changes: 25–30% weekly.
- Fertiliser: liquid fertiliser once a week after the water change (dosing guide).
- Temperature: 22–28 °C; use a heater only in cold winters and watch for heat in Indian summers (summer care guide).
- Trimming: thin out Vallisneria runners and floaters every few weeks; Anubias and Buce rarely need trimming.
More tank setup guides:
Plants in this guide
Grown in Surat · graded by leaf count and photographed before dispatch · live-arrival guarantee on every order · ₹99 shipping, free from ₹2,000
₹ 175 ₹ 320
Price range: ₹ 90 through ₹ 250
Price range: ₹ 90 through ₹ 250
Frequently asked questions
How many litres is a 2-feet aquarium?
A standard 60 × 30 × 30 cm tank holds about 54 litres when full; after substrate and hardscape, the actual water volume is usually 45–50 litres.
Can I grow a carpet in a 2-feet tank without CO2?
It is difficult. Staurogyne Repens can slowly carpet in medium light without CO2, but Monte Carlo and Dwarf Hairgrass carpet reliably only with strong light and CO2. For low-tech tanks, use Java moss or Anubias Nana Petite in the foreground instead.
Which fish suit a planted 2-feet tank?
Small peaceful fish such as neon or rummy-nose tetras, harlequin rasboras, guppies, a single betta, honey gouramis, corydoras and cherry or Amano shrimp all do well with these plants.
What is the cheapest way to plant a 2-feet tank?
Start with Vallisneria (₹80), Anubias Nana (₹90), Amazon Frogbit (₹90) and Java moss (₹120). They are hardy, low-light and spread or last for years.
Build your 2-feet planted tank with healthy, hand-picked plants from our aquarium plant shop, delivered across India with a live-arrival guarantee. New to planted tanks? Start with our step-by-step setup guide and best beginner plants.
