How much does it really cost to set up a planted aquarium in India? The answer ranges from a few thousand rupees for a simple low-tech tank to well over ₹25,000 for a CO2-injected aquascape. This guide breaks down the costs for the most popular size, a 2-feet (60 cm) tank, at three budget levels, so you can plan before you buy.
Quick answer: A basic low-tech 2-feet planted aquarium in India typically costs about ₹5,000–₹8,000 including tank, filter, LED light, substrate, hardscape and hardy plants. A mid-range setup with better lighting and aqua soil costs around ₹10,000–₹18,000, and a high-tech tank with pressurised CO2 usually costs ₹20,000–₹40,000 or more. Plants themselves are one of the smallest costs: a lush low-tech planting can cost ₹1,000–₹2,000.
Prices are approximate 2026 ranges for common brands sold in India and vary by city, brand and season. Plant prices are current Anubias.in prices.
2-feet planted tank cost breakdown
| Item | Budget low-tech | Mid-range | High-tech (CO2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass tank (60 × 30 × 36 cm) | ₹1,500–₹2,500 | ₹2,500–₹4,000 (clear glass) | ₹4,000–₹8,000 (rimless, ultra-clear) |
| Filter | ₹800–₹1,500 (hang-on/sponge) | ₹1,500–₹3,000 | ₹4,000–₹9,000 (canister) |
| Light | ₹800–₹1,500 (basic LED) | ₹2,000–₹4,000 (planted LED) | ₹5,000–₹12,000 |
| Substrate | ₹500–₹900 (gravel + root tabs) | ₹1,200–₹2,500 (aqua soil) | ₹2,000–₹3,500 |
| Hardscape | ₹500–₹1,500 | ₹1,500–₹3,000 | ₹3,000–₹6,000 |
| Heater (optional) | ₹500–₹1,000 | ₹700–₹1,500 | ₹1,000–₹2,000 |
| CO2 system | Not needed | Not needed | ₹6,000–₹15,000 |
| Fertiliser & water conditioner | ₹300–₹600 | ₹500–₹900 | ₹800–₹1,500 |
| Plants | ₹1,000–₹1,500 | ₹1,500–₹3,000 | ₹3,000–₹6,000 |
| Approximate total | ₹5,000–₹8,000 | ₹10,000–₹18,000 | ₹20,000–₹40,000+ |
What plants cost for each budget
- Low-tech starter (about ₹1,000–₹1,500): 3 Anubias Nana (₹90 each), 2 Java Fern (₹175 each), 1 Java Moss (₹120), 2 Vallisneria (₹80 each), 1 Amazon Frogbit (₹90).
- Mid-range (about ₹1,500–₹3,000): add Cryptocoryne wendtii (₹150), Staurogyne Repens (₹180), Bucephalandra (from ₹299) and a larger Anubias Barteri.
- High-tech (about ₹3,000–₹6,000): carpet of Monte Carlo (₹150 per portion) or Dwarf Hairgrass (₹150), red stems such as Rotala and Ludwigia, and rare Anubias or Buce accents.
See ready-made lists in our best plants for a 2 feet tank guide and the full aquarium plant price guide.
Monthly running costs
| Cost | Low-tech | High-tech |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity (filter, light, heater) | About ₹100–₹250 | About ₹250–₹600 |
| Fertiliser | About ₹50–₹150 | About ₹200–₹400 |
| CO2 refills | None | About ₹200–₹500 |
| Replacement plants and trimming losses | Low | Moderate |
How to save money on a planted tank
- Start low-tech: Anubias, Java fern, moss and Crypts need no CO2 and grow under a basic LED.
- Use gravel plus root tabs instead of expensive aqua soil if you mainly keep epiphytes.
- Buy fewer, healthier plants and propagate them; see how to propagate Anubias.
- Skip the heater in most of South and West India, where room temperature stays warm year-round.
- Avoid carpet plants until you have strong light and CO2; they are the most common expensive failure.
More tank setup guides:
Plants in this guide
Frequently asked questions
Is a planted tank more expensive than a normal aquarium?
Only slightly for low-tech tanks. Hardy plants cost a few hundred rupees and reduce algae and water-change needs. High-tech CO2 setups are where costs rise sharply.
What is the cheapest planted tank setup in India?
A small tank with a sponge filter, basic LED, gravel, one piece of driftwood and epiphytes such as Anubias Nana and Java fern can be put together for around ₹4,000–₹5,000.
Do I need CO2 for a planted aquarium?
No. Most beginner-friendly plants grow without CO2. See our list of aquarium plants that grow without CO2.
Shop the plants in this guide: Amazon Frogbit, Dwarf Hairgrass, Staurogyne Repens, Java Moss, Anubias Nana.
Ready to plant? Follow our step-by-step setup guide and shop hardy aquarium plants, shipped across India with a live-arrival guarantee.
