I agree, stocking comes down to filtration and water quality. If your fish seem comfortable and parameters are consistently good, no harm in a tank dense with fish.It can be a bone of contention this one. As long as the fish aren't taking lumps out of each other, leading to a totally unhappy and stressed tank, and you keep on top of your water changes, which will be more frequent, then I don't see an issue. Although it's not everyone's cup of tea I don't mind the look of a "fuller" looking tank. But it's each to their own.
If it comes to it you can always thin out your stock anyway.
oh...i guess bristlenose is too broad a description for my comprehension...thanks for the correction!Bristlenose plecs stay small, as do green phantoms.