how to remove unwanted auqairum plants

[lossam8199]

Hi guys,

I want to know what's the best way to remove unwanted aquarium plants. I know pulling them will mess up the substrate or even pulling out neighboring plants near them( since their roots may tangle together). so I don't like that idea.
May I just cut stem of the plant down to the substrate, and leave the roots in the substrate and let it decompose so other plants will absorb the nutrients? will this cause any problem? like a nitrate spike?

I really don't want to pull the roots out cause it will mess up my scape

please help, thank you


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[Fresh2o]

That's what I would do. Should not cause any problems, nutrient wise. Dead roots will break down eventually. Some plants such as crypts may grow back from root fragments; depends on how much stem/runner sections are left intact. I have had this happen before.