FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Happy new year to everyone. I have a question about crypts(particulary cryptocoryne wendtti red and green). Should they be doing good under these tank conditions(29 gallon)because they never and still arent-
1.25 watts of 5500k flourescent(10 hours a day)
small CO2 system
eco-complete substrate for the planted tank
Temp-78
gh-8
nitrates-10ppm
ph-7.2
-20% water change 1x a week
Potassium and iron dosed every once and a while
The fish are australian rainbows, zebra danioes, kuhli loaches and otocinclus. Plant in the tank that are thriving are Hygrophllya polysperma, ozelot sword, java fern, java fern windelov, anubias moliwe, anubias lanceolata, and bacopa monieri.

Last edited by clownloachfan at 01-Jan-2006 14:25

clownloachfan,

My Crypt Wendtii grew pretty well in my 29G when I had 40W of lighting. It didn’t evolve into major bushy plants, but it didn’t wither away either.

My water conditions are similar to yours, ph of 7, 80F. I have a lower GH of maybe 2dH, if that matters.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Under those conditions there's really no reason for those crypts to not bei doing well. I suspect maybe they're just melting, something common to crypts. Leave 'em alone and let them settle in some more, they should grow one way or another.

---

Back in the saddle!

Fan,

Your post didn't indicate what the plants are doing other than "never and still aren't... doing good..." I assume they aren't melting or having the leaves and stems turn white and become mush.

A couple of observations and questions -
o Do you have any plant that is doing well near the crypts? The root system of that plant may be interfering with the development of the crypt root system.
o How long have you had the plants? Many crypts take months to develop a root system before "exploding" with growth. By the way, "exploding" to a crypt is in slow motion.
o How deep is your substrate? Most crypts prefer a depth of at least three inches.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

I have had them for about 1 year now. The depth of the gravel is 2&3/4 in. For the first six months, they were all by themselves in full light. Up until yesterday, they were being shaded by my ozelot sword. They are now in my 30 gallon. The crypts are about 2 in. high with 6 in. long roots. So far, they have not melted and my fish seem to leave them alone. I know what cryptocoryne rot/melt is and this has only happened once(mildly)- when i first got them. One thing to note though is that when i put them into my tank(1 year ago), i had a cyanobacteria/ diatom outbreak. Could this have severley/ perminantly damaged them? I hope they do well in the 30.

The algae outbreak would have little effect on the crypts. The greater impact would be the amount of light that they receive. Although your crypts are fine at low to very low light levels, they may need more light (watts) to burst into growth!

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright