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	Darkening Leaves, Crypts
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Okay checked Chucks nutrient deficiency chart and didnt see what I was looking for. Many of my crypts (both in sand and gravel tanks) are having some of the leaves, older I'm assuming, turn a dark reddish/brown. The plants had been doing fine for months, hadnt' been giving them all that much in the way of ferts (a bit of florish via sryinge on occasion). Otherwise it's just light and co2 in the gravel tank and just light in the sand tank. Any ideas on what the cause is? ^_^[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? It's real, the pain you feel. The life, the love, You die to heal. The hope that starts, The broken hearts... I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool. I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new."
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
kitten Fish Guru Meow? Posts: 2266 Kudos: 2194 Votes: 19 Registered: 18-Nov-2003	Is it a BAD darkening? I know my crypt turned this gorgeous deep green/red/brown when it was happy with it's flourite substrate. Ever since removing the flourite, it's been pale green. I just added some flourish tabs in the hopes that it will soon regain that rich, rich color it had before. It could simply be that you've reached the optimum fertilizer levels for the plant, unless the plant is looking sickly. If it looks sickly, then I don't know what to say. I'm by no means a plant expert! ~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	Most plants whether aquatic or in the garden don't turn dark unless they are very happy. I just put my blueberry bushes outside 2 weeks ago and all their old leaves turned deep red and they tripled in size. The red lilly turns dull brown to green when it's not happy and a pretty red when it gets enough light and ferts. Also what kind of crypts? My wendtii are especially good at using color to show how happy they are.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004	Hi, I've never seen the old leaves of my crypts turn red - usually they reach a certain age and start to melt. However, after adding CO2 to my tank and upping the light, the new ones came in a very nice reddish/ brown color. When i bought them they were green. I think it means they're happy *Back in the saddle!*
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
Neon Man Small Fry Posts: 13 Kudos: 8 Votes: 5 Registered: 12-Aug-2004	Babelfish, This has happened to my Cryptos also. After being planted when they were a bright green, two of three slowly turned a brown/bronze colour. I understand this is common, and might be related to the light spectrum they are exposed to. (As fluorescent bulbs age, their light spectrum changes slightly). After recently adding new and stronger lighting to my tank, I'll be waiting to see if they change back to their original colour! All best, Joe
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Hmmmm well then lowers pot on overreaction meter I'll just let them be rather than freak out ... The bulbs are due for replacement soon...we'll see if that changes anything. Thanks all! ^_^[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? It's real, the pain you feel. The life, the love, You die to heal. The hope that starts, The broken hearts... I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool. I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new."
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44
Neon Man Small Fry Posts: 13 Kudos: 8 Votes: 5 Registered: 12-Aug-2004	OK, folks! The results are in . . . After three weeks at 2 watts/gallon and 5200K (up from 0.6 watts/gallon and 6700K), all my Cryptos have turned back to their original green colour! So my guess about the light spectrum may be correct after all . . . And they seem to be just as "happy"! I appreciate the comments by those above who indicated that turning darker meant they were doing well. Any other thoughts out there? All best, Joe
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:44


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