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Okay I was just skimming thru the substrates post and came across the fact that crypts are heavy root plants.....I'm not sure why but somehow I had the impression that they would do okay in sand.....so have some in my 30.

Anyone ever kept them in sand, and with what results ?

Next, I take it that root tabs would be helpful?

^_^
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Hmm... good question. I'm planning on setting up a ten gallon with sand and planting it within the next few days with plants including crypts.

I can't offer experience with crypts and sand (not yet, anyway!), but I can say that the other crypt I have did WONDERFULLY in flourite, but started hating me after I switched it to normal gravel. It's much paler than it used to be and doesn't grow as nicely. So, yes, I would gather that they are fairly heavy root feeders. I could see how root tabs would be a good idea.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

They are heavy root feeders, and IME heavy root feeders dont' do good in sand, part of that enriched the substrate is the flow of water charged with sediments, and the other sometimes sand can compact to much for the roots to grow freely.

If you go for it, use the tabs and let us know how your crypt is doing

Well they're in there already >.< I could move them home to a tank with gravel (where the crypts are doing alright) but they look so nice in this tank .
I did do the wash and trim tip that you'd posted about before Falstaf even after a rough weekend before getting into the tank they seem to be doing good....had one leaf melt.

I have MTS in that tank so hopefully that will help with the compacting. Looks like I need to place an order with big als for root tabs :%).

^_^
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Hi,
First, the plants are doing fine. That means that for now
they are able extract the nutrients that they need from
the substrate. However, soon they will deplete the area
around them and either grow a more involved root system
(hard to do in true sand) or start to develop problems.
Watch the plants, and when they start to show signs of
problems (symptoms) then treat them with the necessary
nutrients.

Here is a site specifically for that:
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_nutrient.htm

Some folks start adding nutrients too soon, sort of like
taking a one a day vitamin, but that just encourages algae
growth. It is better to wait and treat for the specific
problem.

Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 27-Jan-2005 12:58

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

I've had three crypts in sand for several months and they're doing very well. They've grown from ~6" to &gt;12". I've moved them from a 20g with 1wpg to a 10g with 3wpg. At some point I added root tabs but I'm not sure how much of a difference they made. I've now moved them into a 33g and have realized just how long their leaves actually are. I'd say their roots are about 8" long.

HTH

I think the crypts will do fine in the sand. In my 29 gallon, i have 2 green wendtii's, 1 red wendtii and 1 cryptocoryne petchii. They are growing very nicely and sending off a lot af babies right now. The red wendtii is getting lighter colored though, probably because of the lower light level. I use eco complete. If i would have to say what kind of substrate it is, it would be 70% sand, 25% fine gravel and 5% bigger clumps.

I just was randomly flipping through one of my books over the weekend (Aquarium Designs Inspired by Nature, Peter Hiscock) when I happened upon a short blurb that noted the crypts do well in sand. *shrugs* I thought it was odd that I wasn't even looking for the answer to the question when I saw that. Hehe.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~