A 3-feet aquarium (roughly 150–200 litres, depending on height and width) is big enough for real depth: tall background plants, a strong midground and bold centrepieces. Here is what to plant and roughly what it costs.
Quick answer: For a low-tech 3-feet tank in India, tie Anubias Barteri and Anubias Nana with Java fern and Java moss to large driftwood, plant Cryptocoryne wendtii in the midground, and fill the back with Amazon sword, Vallisneria and Water wisteria, plus a little Amazon frogbit on the surface. Around 20 plants give a well-planted start. The starter list below costs about ₹2,810 on Anubias.in, which also qualifies for free shipping.
Prices last checked against the Anubias.in store: 17 September 2026.
What makes a 3-feet tank different?
More length and depth means you can layer plants: short hardscape plants at the front, medium plants in the middle and tall, fast growers at the back. Fast background plants also help absorb nutrients in the larger water volume, which keeps algae down.
Best plants by position
| Position | Plants | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hardscape (wood/rock) | Anubias Barteri, Anubias Nana, Java fern, Java moss | No substrate needed, very hardy |
| Midground | Cryptocoryne wendtii, Red tiger lotus | Rooted plants that add colour and shape |
| Background | Amazon sword, Vallisneria, Water wisteria | Tall, fills the back quickly |
| Surface | Amazon frogbit | Shades algae, absorbs nutrients |
| Centrepiece | Anubias King or Anubias Congensis | Large Anubias for big tanks |
How many plants do you need?
Around 20 plants give a planted look from day one in a 3-feet tank. Fast background plants fill in within weeks; slow Anubias and Java fern stay in place, so buy larger sizes if you want an established look straight away. See large Anubias for big tanks.
Starter list and cost
The chart above lists a balanced low-tech starter set of 21 plants for about ₹2,810. Some items are on pre-order, so check availability before ordering.
Lighting and care
- Run lights about 6–8 hours a day: light hours guide.
- Add root tabs near Amazon swords and Crypts.
- Dose a liquid fertiliser weekly and trim background plants regularly.
More tank setup guides:
Three ways to plant the same 3-feet tank
The plant list changes a lot depending on how much time you want to spend with scissors. Pick the style before you pick the species.
Low-effort epiphyte scape. Anubias, Java fern, Bucephalandra and moss attached to a few large pieces of wood, with a sand base and no soil. Almost no trimming, no root tabs, and it tolerates a skipped week easily. The trade-off is that it takes months to look full.
Mixed classic layout. Epiphytes on hardscape, Cryptocoryne through the midground and a group of stem plants at the back. This is the most common approach and balances appearance against work. Expect a trim every two to three weeks once it is established.
Stem-heavy Dutch-style bank. Blocks of Rotala, Ludwigia and Bacopa filling most of the tank. It looks impressive within weeks but needs weekly trimming, consistent dosing and good light to stay tidy. In a 32°C summer this is the style that suffers most.
Stocking mistakes in a tank this size
- Buying one of everything. Twenty different species in a 3-feet tank looks like a collection, not a layout. Six to eight species planted in groups reads much better.
- Ignoring the front-to-back depth. A 3-feet tank is usually only 12 to 15 inches deep, so a tall midground plant blocks the background entirely. Keep the midground low.
- Underestimating flow. A filter sized for the volume alone often leaves dead spots at one end of a 3-feet tank. Aim the outlet along the back glass so water returns down the front.
- Planting the whole tank at once with fast growers only. They fill in beautifully, then all need trimming the same week.
- Skipping a background. A plain dark background makes the same plants look twice as good and hides equipment.
Plants in this guide
Price range: ₹ 90 through ₹ 250
Price range: ₹ 90 through ₹ 250
₹ 175 ₹ 320
Want a ready-made set? See our aquarium plant starter kits for nano, betta, 2 ft and 3 ft tanks.
Frequently asked questions
How many litres is a 3-feet aquarium?
Roughly 150–200 litres, depending on its height and width.
Do I need CO2 for a 3-feet planted tank?
No. Every plant in the starter list grows without CO2.
How much does it cost to plant a 3-feet tank?
The starter list above costs about ₹2,810 on Anubias.in. See also planted aquarium setup cost in India.
How many litres is your tank? Use the aquarium volume calculator.
Can I plant a 3-feet tank in stages?
Yes, and it is often the cheaper and more successful route. Start with hardscape, epiphytes and a few fast growers to help the tank settle, then add midground and carpet plants once it is stable after a month or two. Staging also spreads the cost and lets you see what actually grows well in your water before committing.
How long before a 3-feet planted tank looks full?
With a good proportion of stem plants and reasonable light, expect the background to close up in six to eight weeks. Slow growers such as Anubias and Bucephalandra take several months to bulk out, so the tank keeps improving well past that point. Starting with larger portions of the slow plants is the main way to shorten the wait.
What kind of filter suits a planted 3-feet tank?
A canister filter is the usual choice because it moves water the full length of the tank and keeps the equipment out of sight. A well-sized hang-on-back filter also works if you position the outlet to push flow along the glass. The priority is even circulation rather than very strong flow, since plants dislike being battered.
Not sure how many plants to order? See how many aquarium plants you need for your tank size.
