Twin Rare Crypt/Buce/Erios Emersed tanks

[RukoTheWonderDog]

I started this setup using two extra 20 gallon long tanks and some old tupperware containers. It was a simple Zapin style setup; emersed tubs of substrate sitting in water. The substrate was a mixture of topsoil, Earthworm Castings, rinsed peat moss, and sand. I used waste water from my 180 gallon, EI dosed planted tank.

The setup worked very well at first. I experimented with different plants that didn't grow well in the main tank or stuff that was dug up by the cichlids. The growth was very impressive; nearly every plant tried converted from submersed to emersed culture without a problem. After several months of very positive results, I began to get some really funky green algae growth in the water. The algae took over a few Tupperware containers, and wiped out a few crypts and some stemmed plants. The soil smelled anerobic, which prompted me to increase water movement in the tank.

I added a Marineland Maxi-Jet Pro 400 and an Eheim Jager 50W heater to each tank. I switched from tupperware containers to terra cota pots and elevated the pots with egg crate. This has worked very well and all algae issues have failed to return.

Here are some of the crypts, Erios, Buces, and others I keep; most of these plants were either planted within the past 2 months or repotted from existing plants. Most of the plants have just established good roots and are sending up new growth.

[RukoTheWonderDog]

Cryptocorne Affinis - A daughter has already jumped up.

[RukoTheWonderDog]

Cryptocorne Affinis ' West Pahang Metallic Red'

[2in10]

Great looking setup and a very informative thread.

[RukoTheWonderDog]

Cryptocoryne Bullosa "Bario"

[RukoTheWonderDog]

Cryptocorne Pygmaea - really cool green speckling on this one.

[RukoTheWonderDog]

Cryptocorne Wendtii "Tropica" - This is probably my most colorful crypt. Not entirely sure if this is a Wendtii at all- input from any pros would be cool!

[looking4roselines]

Awesome setup Phil. I didnt know you were growing them emersed.

After seeing your affinis emersed, I want to try a few emersed now. I got mine to bloom under water but it wasn't able to reach the surface and melted.

What are you using as a substrate? They appear to be some type commercial potting soil mixed with a bit of clay?

That Wendtii looks more like a cordata of some sort.

[RukoTheWonderDog]

Cryptocoryne sp. "Bukit Ibam" yellow ring

[RukoTheWonderDog]

Cryptocoryne Longicauda ‘Seri Aman’ - The color of this is completely unlike any other crypt in my collection. It's a bright neon green, similar to that of Bacopa sp. 'Japan'

[looking4roselines]

They all look very happy. I am glad they are in good hands.

[RukoTheWonderDog]

Cryptocoryne Hudoroi - A very slow grower for me.

[RukoTheWonderDog]

Cryptocorne Nurii - One of the fastest growing for me, second only to the C. Wendtii 'Mi Oya'

[RukoTheWonderDog]

Cryptocorne sp. 'Indonesia' - I heard a rumor that this is actually another Wendtii variant.

[RukoTheWonderDog]

Cryptocoryne Moehlmannii - Very excited to see the emersed form of this one.