Over planting

[Neil]

Got some great plants from aquarium co-op last week.   I want to order some more and would like to know can you over plant an aquarium?   I started small with a 20 high to gain experience with planted tanks. 

[FrozenFins]

I have never heard of such a thing. If you have stem plants get root tabs make sure your adding plant fertilizer.

[JettsPapa]

Some fish prefer some open space for swimming, but as long as you provide that it should be fine.  Many fish are more comfortable and less stressed with heavily planted areas.

[Streetwise]

Sometimes it can be hard to find an empty spot on the substrate, which is a great problem to have!

I keep buckets and utility tanks with light and air, for spare plants and cuttings. I order plants that I love, and then wait for the right moments of inspiration to plant more.

Edited January 3, 2021 by Streetwise

[Neil]

Thank you! 

[StephenP2003]

Overplanting? Never.

[lefty o]

its possible, but mostly no . hard to over plant. as long as they arent choking each other out, and blocking all light from the other plants, many plants tend to go great.

[Jennifer V]

@JettsPapa which fish need more open space to be happy? I have a feeling I'm headed for a heavily planted tank and want to make sure the fish I add are right for it. 

[JettsPapa]

27 minutes ago, Jennifer V said:

@JettsPapa which fish need more open space to be happy? I have a feeling I'm headed for a heavily planted tank and want to make sure the fish I add are right for it. 

 

I think most fish that occupy the middle to upper levels of the tanks like some open space.  Hopefully someone else will have more specific information.

[Hobbit]

I would add that if you have a wide variety of plants and want to keep it that way, you’ll have to do some trimming and generally keep each plant from getting too big. Just like in a regular garden, if you just let everything go a few plants will do really well and take all the space, light, and nutrients from the others.