how to Balance plants and fish load

[flickeroak]

I've got a 20 gallon tank with a bunch of Java Fern and Anubias, but my fish seem stressed. How do I balance the plant load without overcrowding? My filter's a HOB, and I do weekly water changes.

[Sageborn]

A 20 gallon with Java Fern and Anubias should be fine if your fish aren't too large. What species do you have? Overcrowding stress usually comes from inadequate swimming space or poor water quality, not plants. Test your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.

[friendzone]

Yeah, plants usually help with water quality, not hurt it. Maybe your fish are just weirded out by too much shade? Try trimming the Java Fern a bit and see if they chill out.

[flickeroak]

A 20 gallon with Java Fern and Anubias should be fine if your fish aren't too large. What species do you have? Overcrowding stress usually comes from inadequate swimming space or poor water quality, not plants. Test your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.

I've got 8 Neon Tetras and 4 Corydoras. Params are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Maybe it's the lighting? I'm using a cheap LED.

[Sageborn]

Neons and Corys shouldn't be stressed by plants. Your params look good. The LED might be the issue, low light can cause plants to grow leggy and block too much light. Upgrade to a full-spectrum LED or adjust the photoperiod.

[friendzone]

Or just cut back the Java Fern. Those things grow like crazy once they settle in. My tank was a jungle until I started hacking at it every few weeks.

[Sageborn]

Or just cut back the Java Fern. Those things grow like crazy once they settle in. My tank was a jungle until I started hacking at it every few weeks.

Trimming is a good short-term fix, but addressing the light will prevent regrowth issues. Full-spectrum LEDs like the Nicrew Classic are affordable and effective.

[flickeroak]

Thanks, gonna try the Nicrew and trim the Fern. Appreciate the help!