How many is too many?

[Dave Cushing]

I am planning my tank and I wonder how many plants is too many. I have read several posts and different articles that suggest that a higher plant load will use up available nutrients better and help to prevent algea.

I know that more plants will need more light, and I will have to add fertilizers as well, but none of this is an issue to me.

I have pretty much decided on everything for the tank. I have a trip late next month, so I will unfortunately wait until I get back to set everything up. I don't want to take a chance of ruining things so close to starting up the tank.

My full tank specs are in the link in my signature.

Thanks

Dave

[superjohnny]

It's tough to put in too many plants. If you have the right lighting, nutrients & co2 you should be able to put in as many plants as you can physically plant. I wouldn't do 5 amazon swords though. I had one large amazon in my tank and it was taking over. Those things get BIG.

Sounds like it's going to be a really nice tank though. Keep us informed on your progress.

[djlen]

Agree with Supe, above on the Amazons. Actually, I'd be very conscious of the heights that the plants grow to as well as size, because the taller plants tend to reach the surface and shade the others.
There's an old saying that if you can't find your fish you have too many plants. That's overkill, but I'd add as many as you can. Certain plants, no matter what you do, won't grow for you. It's good to learn which will and won't early, pick the ones you like the best and go with them.
Len

[Dave Cushing]

Good advice on the Amazon Swords, maybe I will cut back on them and add some more of the others, or add something else.

Len, I agree that it is good to learn what will grow, that is how I am approaching this. You could almost say it is a shotgun approach. Plant everything and find out what does the best, then adjust down the road.

Dave

[TomFromStLouis]

Plant everything and find out what does the best, then adjust down the road.

Dave [/B]

Story of my aquarium life. I am embarassed to admit to some 'easy' plants I was unable to grow while having success with some 'harder' ones. Be flexible. Develop a design/strategy, but prepare to adapt later.

BTW I knew about Amazon Sword size and opted for ZERO in my 75g. Most, but not all of them, are too big for all but the largest tanks IMO.

[djlen]

Every tank's conditions is different from other's. I have two 55's, one sitting over the other against the same wall. When I started up the second one I put in the substrate, filled it with water, started up the filters and CO2 and took pieces of plants from my other tanks and planted them in rows just to see which ones would grow in the unique conditions of that particular tank and which ones wouldn't. Same water, same substrate, same CO2 cannister, slightly different lighting, and some did well and some flopped that were doing well in other tanks.
I don't have time to fight the system. If they don't grow for me I move on.
BTW, I will NEVER plant an Amazon Sword in another tank of mine(unless it 's over 200gals.) other than the small chain swords or micro swords. The large ones take over the tank and if you go to pull them you end up pulling half the substrate up with the plant.


Len