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Testing methodology
Every recommendation on AquariumTested follows the same process, so you can compare pages with confidence.
Sized to the tank and its animals
Every recommendation is sized to tank volume and the needs of the livestock.
A clear verdict
Each guide says who the equipment suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
No paid placements
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Kept current
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
Where our facts come from
We use manufacturer specs (flow rates, wattage, PAR maps, rated tank sizes), adult-size and care data for species from public aquarium and university sources, and established water parameter ranges from aquarium science literature.
What we check, by product type
| Filters | Type, rated tank size and flow, media capacity, maintenance access and noise. |
|---|---|
| Heaters | Wattage for tank volume, controller accuracy, thermal protection and housing. |
| Lighting | Spectrum, PAR at depth from the maker's map, control and dimming, coverage and mounting. |
| Reef equipment | Skimmer rated volume and air draw, return and wavemaker flow, dosing accuracy and controllers. |
| Test kits | Parameters, method, resolution, number of tests and reagent shelf life. |
Hands-on testing versus research
A review carries a "Hands-on tested" badge only when our team has used the product, and it lists the date and what we did. Every other page is built from published specs, governing-body rules, the brand's own documentation and owner feedback, and says so. Comparisons are research-based unless marked otherwise.
Prices and codes
Prices come from each brand's own store and are dated on every review. Reader codes come directly from the brands we partner with. When a brand changes an offer, we update the code everywhere it appears on the site at once.
Corrections
If you spot something out of date, email info@aquariumtested.com and we'll check it and fix it.