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Hello all, its been a while. I would like some information on C. spiralsis. I got this plant a few weeks ago. I was going to buy retrospiralsis but i heard one of the employees there recomending spiralsis for a low light setup. My lighting is about 1&1/4 watts per gallon(29 gallon), hagen CO2 system, flourish excell dosed every day, potassium 3 days a week and iron everytime after a water change, fluorite. So for it has produced 3 new leaves that are only about 2 in. Will they get bigger over time as it settles into my conditions?

Hi,
Selected Reading:
http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/Cryptocoryne/Gallery/spi/spi.html

http://www.aquariumgarden.com/index.php?doc_base=plant_info.php&plantid=cr063

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I've got a huge Spiralis that I've had for over a year. It's past the 2 foot in height mark now. So be careful what you wish for it may become too big for a 29gal.

It's a very easy plant, doesn't demand much of anything. Give it some space and it will spread out. It's really only suited to bigger tanks it's capable of taking over a 29g all by itself.It's not as tall as Balansae but it does grow a lot faster and a whole lot wider then Balansae. Growth is fast by Crypt standards. I'll be posting a pic of my tank later and you can clearly see how big they get - by far the biggest plant in the tank.

You'll find the leaves get gradually bigger and bigger.

Just looking at your fert regime you are a little unbalanced. You are adding co2 and Excel which will push growth but not enough nutrients to suppport that growth. That may cause issues in time.

Consider adding Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) and Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4) or you can use the seachem Nitrogen and Phosphorous products. You won't need to add the Flourish potassium. Consider changing from the Iron addition to a good all round micro fert like Flourish regular or Tropica Master Grow this will give you sufficient Iron and a balance of the other required micro nutrients.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

I really dont think that i need to add phosphorus, nitrogen or iron. My tank has between 10-20ppm of nitrates depending on how long it has been since i did a water change and 1-2ppm of phosphate. I have actually stoped iron all together because everytime i dose it i get an uproar of hair algae. It might be different though since i am dosing excell now.

I have actually stoped iron all together because everytime i dose it i get an uproar of hair algae.

Only because the lack of other nutrients are limiting the usefulness of the Iron. High levels of FE in itself won't cause alage if the other nutrients are in balance.

2 ins is incredibly small for a spiralis leaf. I've got them at 24". About 30 leaves.

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.