Monte Carlo

Advanced Technical Info

• Water Chemistry: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral water. TDS: 100-200 | GH: 4-8.
• The "Pearling" Effect: Under high light and CO2, expect intense oxygen production. The leaves will literally "glitter" with bubbles by mid-afternoon.
• Fish Compatibility: Perfect for Tetras, Rasboras, and Shrimp. Tip: If keeping with Corydoras, let the carpet root for 3 weeks before adding them.
• Pro Tip: Use a "Dry Start Method" (DSM) if you have the patience—it's the easiest way to get a 100% full carpet without algae issues.

Care & Maintenance

• Substrate: Best grown in nutrient-rich aquasoil. While it can grow in sand, a root-heavy substrate ensures faster carpeting.
• Trimming: To maintain a healthy carpet, trim regularly once the layer exceeds 3cm. This prevents the bottom layers from rotting due to lack of light.
• Light: High intensity lighting is required to keep the plant creeping horizontally rather than growing "leggy" towards the surface.

How to Propagate

Repopulating Monte Carlo is straightforward via the splitting method:

• Step 1: Take a healthy mat and cut it into small "plugs" or portions (approx. 2cm wide).
• Step 2: Use fine tweezers to bury the plug deep into the substrate, leaving only a few leaves visible.
• Step 3: Space plugs 3-5cm apart. Within weeks, runners will meet to form a solid green floor.