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Hi,

i bought Cryptocoryne undulata potted and two Eleocharis acicularis also potted. They were delivered yesterday i split the Crypt into three pieces and planted each one about 2cm apart in a triangle, and broke the Eleocharis into about 11 pieces and planted them about 2-3cm apart. Have i done right so far?

I got home from work today and have noticed some yellow leaves on the Crypt, also some have black spots (only two), and one is missing the bottom right hand side of its leaf, it looks like its been chewed off but it is the only leaf like it.

the bases of some of the Eleocharis are looking a bit yellow, this happened last time i bought this stuff but i didnt know what it was nor did i split it into smaller pieces.

So my question is this: How do i keep them alive?! Am i panicing over nothing?

i have 2 x 18" 18W one general freshwater & one plant grow both by acradia. On for about 12hours a day. Also one 18W moonlight tube. So i have a medium amount of light?

My water is about 7.5PH and 14GH

My tank mates are:

3 Bolivian Rams
2 Pictus Cat
5 Redeye Tetra
13 Cardinal Tetra
1 Bristlenose Cat
Quite a few Malaysian Trumpet Snails - which are over the Eleocharis but dont appear to be causing any damage and they arent on on the Cryptocoryne.

Thanks for any help! I would actually like to keep these alive ive failed with the last two lot of plants i bought...

Well, I know a little about cryptos and that is that they are known to "melt" when they get moved to a different location/tank. This means that generally they can lose all their leaves. However, the root system that's underground will regenerate and make new shoots, so that is not too worrysome I'd say. I can't help you very much with the other plants though, except to make sure you have enough light of the right spectrum and check your water parameters for correct composition of nitrates, phosphates and the like.

good luck

You mentioned how many bulbs you have but not the size of the tank, so can't really say if you have enough light or not which may explain the yellowing hairgrass.

Crypts will go into a kind of shock when moved. But don't worry it will come back as Bonke said so just leave it be. It can take up to a month to get really settled and then growth will be strong and pretty fast.

---

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.

tank size is 24" x 12" x 15" (L x W x H) 70l about 18 US Gallon i think.

Hi
For all sorts of information on Crypts in general,
and specific crypts, check out this site:

http://132.229.93.11/Cryptocoryne/index.html

The famous melting Crypts are a reaction to just
about anything that disturbs them. Replanting,
or separating them and other causes such as sudden
temperature drops or rises, will all cause the
"melt."

Clean out the dead/dying leaves. Check the body
of the plant, and cut off with a razor, any soft
or mushy parts. The healthy parts will be firm
and solid.

They will come back, just take care of what is left
after the melt.

Frank


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

thanks for all the information guys, and the link frank. They don't seem to be getting any worse, so fingers crossed

I've taken off the dead leaves and hopefully i wont get any more...