Dying crypto? Help

2981 Views 21 Replies 8 Participants Last post by cableguy69846, Jan 21, 2011

cableguy69846

Discussion Starter · Jan 20, 2011

4

So, I seem to be having a problem with my plants in my 20 gallon tank. My crypto. undulata seem to be melting away. This tank has been set up for a few months so far, and I don't know why. Here are pictures to show you what I mean.

This is the early stages. After this they just turn yellow and disintegrate. Before this they are dark brown. I have no idea what is going on. My PH is 8.0 to 8.2, the temp stays around 78* F. to 82* F. and I dose with fertilizer once a week. I have no CO2, I have about 15 fish, 2 dwarf frogs, a shrimp, and tons of snails. I also have a 15w. 8,000K light on it. My Java Fern is doing amazing in these conditions, I don't understand the crypto plants though. Help would be much appreciated.

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kevmo911

· #2 · Jan 20, 2011

The most plausible theory on crypt melt is some change in water parameters. Realistically, who knows? I'm having the same issue with an 8" wendtii in my tank atm. I've tried apologizing to it to no avail. Honestly, it just happens sometimes.

cableguy69846

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 20, 2011

kevmo911 said:
The most plausible theory on crypt melt is some change in water parameters. Realistically, who knows? I'm having the same issue with an 8" wendtii in my tank atm. I've tried apologizing to it to no avail. Honestly, it just happens sometimes.

I never thought of that. The parameters where as of like 2 months ago. I maybe should check on that. And if apologizing does not work, maybe flowers and some chocolate will. Lol.

mrchach

· #4 · Jan 20, 2011

if its the 20 gal hodge podge. you probably don't have near enough light. what fert are you dosing once a week?

Fahnell

· #5 · Jan 20, 2011

Hello
I do have some crypts and...what i can say is
1. get a very very generous substrate 8 cm even 10 cm
2. get a decent light. they say crypts are low light but they will grow betters in a little stronger light
3. wait..now you have a cryptomelt. just wait

cableguy69846

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 20, 2011

mrchach said:
if its the 20 gal hodge podge. you probably don't have near enough light. what fert are you dosing once a week?

Not sure what the name of it is. It is a powder that I have to mix up though.

cableguy69846

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 20, 2011

Fahnell said:
Hello
I do have some crypts and...what i can say is
1. get a very very generous substrate 8 cm even 10 cm
2. get a decent light. they say crypts are low light but they will grow betters in a little stronger light
3. wait..now you have a cryptomelt. just wait

I used to have an 18,000K light over it, and I am wondering if that could have done it. I will have to get another one. And I have like a 3 inch substrate bed.

bleublaze55

· #8 · Jan 20, 2011

18k might be a little off on the color spectrum. Try something closer to 12 or even 10. From what i understand, the color in that temperature range is closer to what the plants use out of the normal spectrum. Might not want to change too many things at one time because you wont know what worked and what made it worse. Thats always my problem.

cableguy69846

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 21, 2011

bleublaze55 said:
18k might be a little off on the color spectrum. Try something closer to 12 or even 10. From what i understand, the color in that temperature range is closer to what the plants use out of the normal spectrum. Might not want to change too many things at one time because you wont know what worked and what made it worse. Thats always my problem.

When I had that bulb in there before, they were doing well, I think it was the light but not sure. I am going to try it and see what happens, if it does not work, I will try something else. I may also just switch to a T5 system soon.

Fahnell

· #10 · Jan 21, 2011

3 inch is great. but...i suppose that is not PLAIN gravel right?
I am using JBL Auqabasis + JBL Manado. Here in Europe we have more in the SERA JBL TETRA DENNERLE range
your light is ok
As for light i have a Dennerle 11w tube. The crypts are in a nanocube from Dennerle.

barbarossa4122

· #11 · Jan 21, 2011

My crypts (wendtii green and wendtii red) melted almost completely and came back to became two huge monsters. They are 7" tall and 4" wide. I always make sure they get a healthy supply of root tabs. Can't wait to see how the 3 Gekos I bought from SnS will do. I have about 3 1/2" of Eco black.

Fahnell

· #12 · Jan 21, 2011

correct
forgot to ention. i put some tabs from sera each week for them (floreplus as i remember)
echinodorus and crypts are very demandind with regard to substrate and nutrients available to the roots

barbarossa4122

· #13 · Jan 21, 2011

I don't know much about Sera tabs. I use RM tabs and/or my home made Osmocote Plus tabs replacing them every 3 to 4 months. You'll be fine just be patient.

Fahnell

· #14 · Jan 21, 2011

Yep . You are from US. We in Europe have more in the JBL Sera etc range
But at a very basic level they must be the same..hope

barbarossa4122

· #15 · Jan 21, 2011

I don't know how much the shipping to Romania is but, I'll look into it and maybe I can send you some home made. Sorry, I did not notice you are in Europe.

barbarossa4122

· #16 · Jan 21, 2011

Update:

$13.95 to Romania for a small flat rate box. It take 6 to 10 business day which means about 2 wks at least.

Fahnell

· #17 · Jan 21, 2011

no pb

here it is logical to have most of the german stuff

JBL Sera Tetra Easylife for the consumer (Germany is only 1500 km away)
Dennerle for the gurus

ADA are a little bit rare here (but you can get them..the same for Dupla)

barbarossa4122

· #18 · Jan 21, 2011

Fahnell said:
no pb
here it is logical to have most of the german stuff JBL Sera Tetra Easylife for the consumer (Germany is only 1500 km away)
Dennerle for the gurus
ADA are a little bit rare here (but you can get them..the same for Dupla)

Oh yes, Germany. I visited her many times, great country, imo.

mistergreen

· #19 · Jan 21, 2011

You have Tropica in your country so don't forget about them.

Yeah, my undalata does the same thing but healthy new growth always come out. Root tabs seem to help.

Fahnell

· #20 · Jan 21, 2011

yep Tropica too

But the averange GDP here is more on the Chinese and entry level German stuff

anyway. with patience and a generous substrate and fert tabs of a reputed producer our friend will have 30 cm crypts in some months i hope
and yes Germany and Holland are top in aquarium stuff here in Europe

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