{"product_id":"monte-carlo","title":"Monte Carlo","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMonte Carlo is one of the more forgiving carpeting plants, its small round leaves creeping low across the substrate to form a fresh green lawn. It is a touch hardier and less fussy than dwarf baby tears, which makes it a sensible first carpet. Give it decent light and it knits together into a soft, dense mat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMicranthemum tweediei comes from Argentina, where it grows along the margins of streams in the Misiones region – the Monte Carlo area that lends it its name. It grows both emersed on wet banks and fully submerged, and in the aquarium recreates that streamside setting with bright light, warmth and a nutritious substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFine creeping stems carry pairs of round green leaves only a few millimetres across, smaller and neater than most other carpeting plants. In good light with CO2 it hugs the substrate and layers over itself into a cushiony carpet a couple of centimetres deep; without enough CO2 it tends to grow upward instead. Supplied as a tissue-culture cup or potted portion, it starts small and spreads by sending runners across open substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA foreground carpeting plant, also lovely trailing over wood, rock and hardscape ledges. Split the portion into many small clumps and dot them a few centimetres apart over the substrate – the gaps fill in as the runners spread. Trim the top of the mat every so often to keep it low, dense and healthy right down to the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRinse the gel from tissue culture or remove any pot and rockwool, then plant small clumps into the substrate with tweezers, keeping the leaves just above the surface. It propagates by runners: healthy plants creep sideways and root as they go. Lifting, dividing and replanting sections speeds up coverage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWants moderate to high light. CO2 is not absolutely required, but it makes the difference between a tight ground-hugging carpet and loose upward growth, so it is strongly recommended for a proper lawn. Feed with liquid fertiliser and a nutrient-rich substrate. Comfortable at 20–28 °C, pH about 6.0–7.5, in soft to moderately hard water. Growth is moderate to fast with CO2, slower without.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMicranthemum tweediei 'Monte Carlo'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMonte Carlo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArgentina\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–4 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate (fast with CO2)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForeground (carpet)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to High\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeneficial (recommended for carpeting)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid fertiliser and nutrient-rich substrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard (2–12)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRunners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarpets, aquascapes, nano tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful community fish and shrimp are ideal – small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids and gouramis. Shrimp in particular graze the carpet and help keep it clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGoldfish, digging cichlids and silver dollars will uproot and tear up a young carpet. In low-light, no-CO2 tanks it grows upward rather than carpeting, so it is not the right choice for true low-tech setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or local delivery. Sold sizes\/portions reflect what we stock; anything shown as sold out will return as we restock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234105606435,"sku":"AA1280","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/monte-carlo-43078223298851-v2.webp?v=1790321589","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/monte-carlo","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}