Fish Density vs. Plants

[Gomisan]

I'm wondering if anyone has information on whether planted tanks can help allow a greater fish density.

I know there's a few issues, but would like other peoples thoughts.

* Plants create Oxygen, Use CO2, use other forms of fish waste, hence with plants I may NEED more fish to keep the plants healthy (without adding ferts)

* Plants take up space, so I'm decreasing the living area of the fish, so maybe = less fish?

* Plants provide visual seperation for fish, so less interaction and agression = more fish

I guess the reason I'm asking is because my tank is already stocked pretty heavily (or so I'm told), but I am adding ore plants, and yet even now the Nitrates etc are very low, and with more plants I suspect i'll have to start adding ferts.

Maybe I just have to face reality... and save up for a bigger tank

 

[joephys]

Plants use oxygen too, and at night they don't produce any, so even more oxygen is being used. All in all I think that stocking levels remain about the same.

Tank is a little over stocked, espically with the clown loach. They can get to be a foot long.

 

[VTwinFanatic]

I agree, just bc you have alot of plants doesnt mean you can have more fish. But what you can do, and IMO is amazingly fun to watch, is add shrimp. Right now you are overstocked as is, and i would advise against it, but others might think differently.

 

[tanker]

I have a jungle in my 100gal, but I do not believe it will allow a very big increase in the fish bio-load.

I am over-stock. I have about 70 fishes in it now, but mostly tetras. But I do have 8 VERY big bleeding hearts (about 3+ inches long).

 

[lucas68]

You also need to be careful that you don’t put in to many plants. I had 2 tape grass (Vallisneria spiralis) and a green Wendtii Crypt (Cryptocoryne wendtii) in my 30 gallon and they were doing just fine for months. I then decided to try to turn the tank into a jungle. The plants started going south quickly. I don’t think the fish are producing enough CO2 for the plants. I’m building a CO2 injector system to see if that helps. So, my answer to the original question is; No, more plants does not = more fish. They must be kept in proper ratio to the tank size. More plants = CO2 injector.

 

[VTwinFanatic]

I have never had a problem with overstocking plants. Ive always heard that you can easily overstock fish, but you can never overstock plants. I think that if you have the right light and a good substrate and are dosing right you shouldnt have any problems with "overstocking" plants.

 

[joephys]

I think that the best way to turn your tank into a jungle is to do it slowly and to let the tank turn itself into a jungle. That way the tank will spread to a point where it can survive but not suffocate its self to death.