Low fish stocking in a moderate/heavy planted tank?

[DarkCobra]

The more fish, the dirtier the tank tends to be. Algae loves dirty tanks. It's not an unavoidable outcome of a heavily-stocked tank alone, but you will have to stay on top of keeping a good environment; more so than you would with a lightly-stocked tank. Because should any other problems or deficiencies arise, algae tends take hold faster.

[annewaldron]

Maybe just one, then

When I was a super-newbie, I wanted explosions of color and activity and all the stereotypical wow factor. Now that I've learned this place is a living, breathing, growing, balancing world unto itself, I find myself wanting natural beauty and peace and health. So whatever it takes, I'm going to strive to get there.

[JasonG75]

Originally Posted by annewaldron

I find myself wanting natural beauty and peace and health.

When you create a ecology and is semi-self sustaining you get a little gitty inside and say "I created that" When I get the occational pearling, or breeding..it excites me.

[annewaldron]

My espeis spawned last Friday night, 31 days after I added them- they were my first addition after my tank was done cycling. Talk about feeling like I accomplished something! (okay don't anybody jump in here and tell me that happens all the time- I need to feel like this was special!

[annewaldron]

p.s. I was counting up to today. 27 days after I added them!

[mistergreen]

A Lot of the show planted tanks are lightly stocked.
1. They want to show off the aquascape using fish as an accent.
2. Lots of fish tend to trigger the ugly algae.

[QuoVadis]

I don't like many of the common gouramis, partly because I think thier ugly, partly because they are often so unhealthy. But my two exceptions are honey gouramis and pearl gouramis. Both are beautiful, hardy, and peaceful.