Grow the Perfect Monte Carlo Carpet: 90‑Day Aquascaping Breakdown

Creating a lush, even Monte Carlo carpet is one of the most rewarding parts of aquascaping—but it’s also where many hobbyists struggle. Patchiness, floating stems, uneven growth, and poor lighting can quickly derail your vision. In this video, DALUA Fishroom walks through a complete 90‑day Monte Carlo grow‑out, showing exactly how to plant, space, maintain, and troubleshoot your carpet for flawless results.

What You’ll Learn

How much Monte Carlo to buy (tissue culture vs. bulk)

Proper clumping and spacing so stems don’t float

How deep to bury stems for stability

Moisture and misting tricks during planting

How to fix patchiness and lighting issues mid‑grow

The day‑70 lighting change that dramatically improved density

Full transformation from Day 1 → Day 90

Planting Technique That Actually Works

Monte Carlo is sensitive during the first few weeks. The video highlights the importance of:

Breaking plants into small, even clumps

Planting just deep enough to anchor without burying leaves

Maintaining high humidity during the dry‑start phase

Ensuring consistent spacing to avoid bald patches later

These fundamentals set the stage for a carpet that grows evenly instead of competing for light.

The Lighting Upgrade That Changed Everything

Around day 70, the creator switched to a more uniform lighting setup using DALUA’s Dual Pixel lighting system, which improved spread and eliminated shadow zones. This single change accelerated horizontal growth and filled in previously thin areas.

If your carpet is growing upward instead of outward, inconsistent lighting is often the culprit.

Fertilisers & Trace Elements

The video also showcases the use of:

PhatPro Fertilisers

Phat Trace Elements

These help maintain nutrient balance during the transition from dry‑start to submerged growth.

Even if you’re not using the exact same products, the principles—consistency, balanced nutrients, and stable lighting—apply to any setup.