Trimming Plants

My tank is beginning to resemble a miniature jungle so I need to get cutting some of the stems now.
Just in relation to this,one of my plant (must check out the name,think its mexican something or other! Will check it out more later). So when Im cutting these stems,the plant has grown from the bottom to the top of the tank and is now spreading out over the surface so I want to start cutting it as I dont want the surface covered with plants. Should I trim from the bottom of the plant by the bottom of the tank or should I cut half way down etc..
Any advise will be welcome


Gavin

Gavin, it all depends on the plant
If it is single stem (as it sounds) replant the top and bottom of the plant
The middle is usually no good, replanting the top & bottom of the plant usually gives a bushier plant so a pic would be great to see what you need to do

Hi LB
Here are a few pics which perhaps you will be able to distinguish the plants from.




Im not sure of the type of it.

Also anyone able to tell me the proper name for this plant,it doesnt plant as such,it just grows wild in the tank and can fold or whatever,but its simple to grow.

Hi, your top 2 (very big) pictures look like Wisteria to me (Hygrophila difformis)

Hi Gavin
The plant in the third pic(with the rummy nose tetra's) looks like "Elodea" ,I think its been reclassified as "Egeria densa" now, if it is, it can be grown by rooting it or by letting it float around the tank.
Lar

Hey Gavin, pic 1 to me looks like a healthy root structure & the main plant in pic 2 looks like a healthy plant, how long do you have them? I think just cut them from the top down to a height that you like

The grass plants in pic 2 have some leaves going brown on them, I like this, and it looks natural but if they start to decompose pull them out.

The plant in pic 3 is like java moss, a great plant to have in your tank and hard to kill, it can only do good.

I think if you want to have plants in your tank start from the substrate and work your way up

LB

Thanks LB,I'll do a re-trim in the morning. The plants are there a few months now,all natural,no Co2 required. Did a bit of re adjusting with the lighting as I had a blue light also but got rid of it as it wasnt helping the algae problem or the plants growth. Since Ive gotten the angels Ill have to cut back the plants a little as its a maze for them that they arent too crazy about!!! Anyhow its overgrowing my tank so needs a trim now.

Cardinal,you are right about the third plant,it is Elodea.A really hardy plant that creates its own shape and is very natural. Simple to grow and provides good cover for my panda corys too.
The Grassy plant,does brown at time and I strip it on occassion.Its hit and miss with it at time,indeed Im not overly sure if its a fully aquatic plant even but its hanging in there at the moment and my panda corys love working the leafs! But yes I do cull the decomposing leaves.
It just goes to show,you can create a planted tank without the use of Co2 and nutrients etc...
However its v much down to the plant types,when I bought mine a few months ago (Ive since lost the names of the plants!),I ensured that the plants were easy to grow and didnt require any additional Co2 etc..
However if you want to really do a aquascape such as yours LB, then yes Co2 and much more is needed. Im happy with my effort as it is though!! Just as I was considering doing water changes tonight,I noticed the tap water was dirty,must of added something to the mains tonight, Ill wait for a day or two before doing the water change.

Gavin