Vacuuming and carpet plants

[NoSpoon]

I was wonder, how exactly do you vacuum the substrate of a tank with a carpet plant like Hemianthus callitrichoides or Dwarf Hairgrass. I am expecting an answer a little more then "very carefully". 

Also how can you prevent these plants from taking over the entire tank. I am trying to go for a carpet plant with substrate also showing in other areas kind of look.

Thanks

[Aiglos]

Nospoon.

You do not vacuum your actually substrate,  hold your gravel vac slightly above the gravel and the loose waste will become dislodged from the suction and the rest will become good fertilizer for your plants.   


As for keeping your plants in a specific area its alot of work, you just have to be very diligent about pruning plants out of areas you do not want them in.

[BigDaddy]

Agreed.

With some carpet plants, it helps to put up a physical barrier as well, like rock or driftwood.

If you have strong growth of another plant in an area of the substrate, it is less likely for a carpet plant to intrude