Plants melting.

[Micho]

:l My plants were doing fine until now, my big Crypt has melted to its death and I had to throw it away.

So did the other little Crypts I had. Can someone tell me why my plants are melting? I have two 6500k 10w bulbs. I dose Flourish every two weeks. .

Photoperiod is eight hours per day.

Any ideas?

[ZergyMonster]

From: This site
Crypt Melt
Cryptocoryne species may suddenly have a complete meltdown, where all or most of their leaves simply disintegrate. The exact causes and circumstances of this has never been fully established. It has even been referred to as a disease.

It is known that various environmental conditions can trigger it. Sudden changes in temperature, water quality, nitrate or ammonia levels and transplant shock all may set off this condition. It has been observed happening in natural habitats during seasonal changes and periods of reduced rainfall. It could very well be a defense mechanism. If left undisturbed in stable conditions, the rootstock, or rhizome, will usually totally regrow new leaves within a few weeks to a few months.

The biggest mistake hobbyists make when this malaise strikes is thinking their crypts are dead and then preceding to throw out what’s left of the plants

[lvandert]

Originally Posted by ZergyMonster

The biggest mistake hobbyists make when this malaise strikes is thinking their crypts are dead and then preceding to throw out what’s left of the plants

Oh crappy.

[inareverie85]

It's often caused from buying plants grown emersed and then putting them into a submersed environment. Basically, the emersed leaves all melt off and are replaced by the submersed leaves. Usually. :)

Most major farms for aquatic plants grow them emersed, as this is often cheaper and easier to tend to on a large scale. Most crypts you buy at a major store are going to be emersed growth.

Just be patient, and the crypts usually come back if the conditions in your tank are good. It just takes them a while.

[Micho]

Originally Posted by ZergyMonster

From: This site
Crypt Melt
Cryptocoryne species may suddenly have a complete meltdown, where all or most of their leaves simply disintegrate. The exact causes and circumstances of this has never been fully established. It has even been referred to as a disease.

It is known that various environmental conditions can trigger it. Sudden changes in temperature, water quality, nitrate or ammonia levels and transplant shock all may set off this condition. It has been observed happening in natural habitats during seasonal changes and periods of reduced rainfall. It could very well be a defense mechanism. If left undisturbed in stable conditions, the rootstock, or rhizome, will usually totally regrow new leaves within a few weeks to a few months.

The biggest mistake hobbyists make when this malaise strikes is thinking their crypts are dead and then preceding to throw out what’s left of the plants

I bolded what I think happened, I did a major water change before adding my Rummynose Tetras, and FML at the last sentence. I threw it out yesterday, it's dead by now. D:

Originally Posted by inareverie85

It's often caused from buying plants grown emersed and then putting them into a submersed environment. Basically, the emersed leaves all melt off and are replaced by the submersed leaves. Usually. :)

Most major farms for aquatic plants grow them emersed, as this is often cheaper and easier to tend to on a large scale. Most crypts you buy at a major store are going to be emersed growth.

Just be patient, and the crypts usually come back if the conditions in your tank are good. It just takes them a while.

Ah, it's not that. I had these Crypts for several months now, and well they died on me all of the sudden.

[sparkyjoe]

I've avoided the Crypts for fear of Crypt Melt, but I couldn't pass up a big, healthy Wendtii "Bronze" so I took the plunge. I'm hoping it won't melt on me but I'll just keep it and look for new growth if it does happen.

[kfryman]

Yeah, most of the time crypts will come back, so if it does melt, keep it, as long as the roots are big and healthy the plant should come back.