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Crypt Trouble

1K views 5 replies 2 participants last post by  smaughunter 
#1 ·
I have a forty gallon fancy goldfish tank. It is not a planted tank but it home to a mystery crypt that came with the tank when I got it second hand a couple of years ago. It is planted in a plastic cup of the kind that bettas are kept in at pet stores. Lately it has gotten really huge and is overgrowing the cup. Some of the leaves were changing color so I trimmed it back. Now I have been noticing some detritus collecting on the leaves. It isn't much but in past experience this has been a preliminary sign of trouble for the plant. Is there a way that I can keep this plant happy without doing high expense? (A light upgrade is going to be out of my range). I was thinking that it might like a new bigger pot, maybe with some fluorite or something that it can root in.

My concern is I know that crypts are sensitive to changes like this. I have had them just melt away after replanting before. Is there a special way that will make things easy on my plant?

I am a college student so I can't afford to sink a ton of money into it but I have had this plant for two years and it is the only plant that has been able to withstand my goldies. I would really like to save it if I can and welcome any advice. Thanks!

Here's a recent FTS with the plant. Sorry my tank is a little ghetto.


A closer view you can see the color change in some of the leaves in this shot. (And yes the fish has no eyes)


Thanks in advance!!!
 
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#3 ·
Once acclimated, crypts actually do quite well in almost any water. Minimal light works, so you're OK for that. But they do need food; they are actually quite heavy feeders. My suggestion would be a substrate fertilizer, such as Flourish Tabs. One of these inserted at the edge of the plant pot will last about 3 months, and provide the essential nutrients. You can buy Flourish tabs online for considerably less than in a store.

Byron.
 
#4 ·
So do you think that If I re-pot and and just start supplementing it should be O.K? You know my goldies and plecos are such waste machines that it didn't occur to me to supplement but this plant has grow considerably in the last year, it probably does need more nutrients. Thanks!
 
#5 ·
Plants in pots will receive less nutrients because of the pot. In the substrate, they can expand their roots and as waste collects and is broken down the plant roots assimilate the nutrients. In the pot this is confined to the pot, so adding a tab would be best. I understand the need for the pot, not suggesting you un-pot the crypt; just making the comment why.
 
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