Japan hair grass and monte carlo

**Goalkeeper** · 7th Dec 2014, 18:41

Plan to have hair grass only partially round the rock area and remaining foreground with MC. Looks like hair grass intruding into MC "turf" (left side on picture). Thinking of leaving it alone but wonder if that will create a mess with both plants growing in same spot? Should I remove the hair grass or leave it alone? Appreciate any advice or suggestion. Thanks.

Attachment 45637

**Phillipians** · 7th Dec 2014, 18:53

Best to remove now. Dont wait till they overrun the MC. They are invasive by nature. Creep everywhere "_

**Shadow** · 7th Dec 2014, 21:21

Leave it, look more natural that way

**Goalkeeper** · 8th Dec 2014, 13:21

I tried to remove it and the MC came up too given roots provably intertwined. So decided to leave it and see how it goes. Not sure which one will be covered by the other. Will keep all posted. Hopefully I don't have to take all out by then! Tank just rescape almost 2 months only.

**Phillipians** · 8th Dec 2014, 13:30

I am sure that the HG will take over heh. But if you want to, and have the time, use scissors to trim the top off. But it is just delaying the inevitable haha

**Goalkeeper** · 8th Dec 2014, 14:16

I was hoping it's the reverse!!

**Urban Aquaria** · 8th Dec 2014, 16:34

Yeah, let the plants mix and it'll look more natural. Better to have the plants blend together seamlessly, rather than restrict them to artificially demarcated zones.

Though from my experience mixing both plants, the hairgrass will usually take over eventually as the shape and orientation of their leaf blades get much easier access to light and hence stay healthy longer, compared to MC which needs to be trimmed regularly or else their bottom layers will get shaded and melt.

**Goalkeeper** · 9th Dec 2014, 10:16

Thanks I'll let them grow out and see how that goes. My concern is they spread all over the tank into the back which may make trimming difficult.

**Urban Aquaria** · 9th Dec 2014, 10:50

Originally Posted by Goalkeeper

Thanks I'll let them grow out and see how that goes. My concern is they spread all over the tank into the back which may make trimming difficult.

Its actually not really an issue if they spread to the back the tank, the carpet plant growth will be slowed down greatly (or simply become sparse) as they are gradually shaded by other taller plants and receive less light, so the reach and extent of their carpet spread will be "self-regulated" based on light availability.