Complete Shopping List 60cm Planted SGD 1000 Guide: Every Item
A 60cm planted tank at SGD 1000 is the sweet spot of the Singapore aquascaping market — large enough to scape properly, small enough to fit any HDB living room, and budgeted to support pressurised CO2 from day one. The complete shopping list 60cm planted below covers every item from tank to tweezers with real Singapore retail prices. This build guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park is the same shopping cart we hand customers who walk in asking “I have SGD 1000 — what do I need?” with nothing missing and SGD 100 contingency baked in.
Tank and Stand: SGD 230
Start with a Mr Aqua 60-P rimless low-iron tank at SGD 80-90 from the aquarium tank range. The 60x30x36cm dimensions hold 60 litres, fit standard light fixtures and balance proportions for Iwagumi or Dutch styles. For the stand, an AquaScape Singapore 60cm matte black metal stand runs SGD 140-160 and comfortably supports the 90kg loaded weight. DIY plywood stands can save SGD 60 but factor your time. Total SGD 230.
Lighting: SGD 200
The Chihiros C2 Pro Mini at SGD 180-220 covers a 60cm tank with full ramping and Bluetooth scheduling. PAR readings hit 90-110 µmol/m²/s at substrate level — enough for medium-light carpets like Monte Carlo and Eleocharis acicularis. Browse the aquarium light range for current Twinstar B-Line alternatives if Chihiros is out of stock. Allocate SGD 200.
Filtration: SGD 200
An Eheim Classic 2215 canister filter at SGD 200-240 from the canister filter range handles 60-90cm tanks with mature biological filtration that lasts ten-plus years. Pair with a basic media stack: bottom layer of bio-rings, middle of ceramic noodles, top of fine wool. Spray bar on the back wall for even surface flow. Total SGD 200, including media.
CO2 System: SGD 130
A pressurised CO2 system is non-negotiable for a SGD 1000 build. The Aquario Neo CO2 dual-stage regulator with bubble counter and solenoid runs SGD 100-110, paired with a refillable 1L aluminium CO2 cylinder at SGD 30-40 (refills are SGD 12 per fill at most local refillers). Add a Neo Flat or inline diffuser at SGD 25-30. Browse the CO2 systems range. Total SGD 130 plus ongoing refills.
Substrate and Hardscape: SGD 130
Two 9L bags of ADA Amazonia II Powder cost SGD 160-170 — overkill for 60cm. Drop to one 9L bag plus a 3L topper, or substitute one bag of Dennerle Scaper’s Soil 8L at SGD 50-55 for the value play. Hardscape: 2-3kg seiryu stone at SGD 25/kg or dragon stone at SGD 28/kg, plus a piece of spider wood at SGD 30-50. Total SGD 130, achievable with the Dennerle substrate route.
Plants: SGD 100
A 60cm scape needs roughly 12-15 plant species across foreground, midground and background. Carpet (3 pots Monte Carlo or HC Cuba): SGD 24-30. Mid-ground (3-4 pots Cryptocoryne wendtii, Anubias nana petite, Bucephalandra): SGD 35-45. Background (4-5 stems Rotala rotundifolia, Ludwigia palustris, Limnophila aromatica): SGD 25-35. Total SGD 100 for tissue-culture and potted mix.
Heater, Thermometer and Test Kits: SGD 60
Singapore ambient sits at 28-31°C — most planted tanks do not need a heater, but a small 50W backup at SGD 25-30 covers the rare cool nights and rainy weeks. A digital stick-on thermometer at SGD 8 and an API freshwater liquid test kit at SGD 50 cover monitoring. Total SGD 60.
Maintenance and Tools: SGD 80
Stainless steel scaping toolset (tweezers, scissors, spatula): SGD 35-50 from the aquascaping tools range. Algae scraper or magnetic glass cleaner: SGD 18-25. Python water-change siphon or budget air-tube siphon: SGD 15-30. Total SGD 80.
Budget Summary: Where the SGD 1000 Goes
Tally: tank/stand SGD 230, light SGD 200, filter SGD 200, CO2 SGD 130, substrate/hardscape SGD 130, plants SGD 100, heater/test SGD 60, tools SGD 80 — total SGD 1130 if you go ADA. Drop substrate to Dennerle and you land at SGD 980 with SGD 20 buffer. Where to splurge: light and filter (decade-long use). Where to save: substrate (Dennerle works), DIY stand, defer CO2 cylinder for second-hand local. Pair with a quality water conditioner and you are running.
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