Can you have too many plants

[Kryten]

I have a UK 19 gallon tank, measuring 30" x 12" x 15", it currently has 9 plants in it, most are low growing plants, but with a couple of tall plants, including a very annoying onion plant

I want toi get rid of the onion plant as it is not great to look at and is growing a centimetre a day. Should I get a few more plants to cover bare glass at the back of the tank in order to make a more natural environment

I also wondered if too many plants can be detrimental to a fishes health in a tank this size i.e. too much oxygen or carbon dioxide. Any advice would be appreciated

 

[CFC]

Depends on how heavily stocked the tank is and what aeration it is getting,the problem with too many plants comes at night when the plants swap from using co2 and start using oxygen instead,too many fish or too little aeration and soon there isn't enough o2 to go around.

 

[Kryten]

I have 4 platies and 15 neon tetras. Will it help to add an air pump if I want to add stock to the tank

Even so, fish activity slows right down at night so less oxygen will be used. Nevertheless would you advise to get an air pump to increase oxygen in the water?

 

[mathman]

Most of the best planted tanks I have seen use a power head instead of bubbles. If I am not mistaken, a nice ripple accross the top of the water brings as much air to it as a bubble stone.

(Please correct me if I am wrong)

 

[CFC]

Yes you are right that a nice ripple is the best way of getting oxygen into the water however in densely stocked tanks or those with underwater jungles it is best to have a air stone as well as having the power head directed at the surface,also it should be just a gentle ripple as to much surface aggitation can cause the loss of too much co2 which means poor plant growth.