Long narrow leaved plants?

[victri]

Hi,

Need some advice here. I've been looking for some narrow leaved crypt to grow in a corner of the tank. I've sort of narrowed it down to the 2 following plants:

- Cryptocoryne crispatula
- Cryptocoryne balansae

Are they the same plant? The Dennerle site suggests it's 2 separate plants while the Tropica site has a Cryptocoryne crispatula var. Balansae. A bit confusing as I'm new to Crypts.

Where can I get them? Anyone with any experience with these 2? Is there anything that can help me decide on the one that's more suitable, or does anyone have other plants to suggest? Basically my tank is 3ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft with 2 x 55W PL.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[theodore]

They are 2 different plants. C. crispulata is also known as C. retrospiralis. You can order them from LFSs - Tell them you want WP606 for C. crispulata or WP404 for C. crispulata var. balanse. Both have similiar requirements (mid-high light with rich substrate) so I expect your choice to be dependent on the look you wish to achieve.

[victri]

Thanks for the info! I kinda like the C. crispulata and think it is more suitable for my tank. Where can I order it from? I haven't ordered plants from LFS before. Is it ok if I just get 1-2 of them?

[www.Aquatic-Store.com]

Narrow leaf java fern
Any types of vals or sag would be other options

[Lawrence]

The naming of crypts is confusing at best. Suggest you check out this site:

http://users.bart.nl/~crypts/

This is pretty much regarded as the authority on crypts.

[Sleepy_lancs]

Hi,

I have Cryptocoryne balansae in my tank. Grows slow but nice (mine took 1 mth before putting out new shoots). Needs fertilization (in my case) and its easy to keep. Just make sure you have some shade near it. I keep it near some broad leaved plants.

conditions for the plant is as follows:
PH: 6 - 8
Temp: 20 - 28 Deg C
Tank height must be at least 45 cm or you get weird leaves

[victri]

Hi,

I just got myself some C. Crispulata. Was told by the LFS owner that even the suppliers mix up the Balansae and Crispulata, so I'm not 100% sure which one I have. Currently the plants are only about 20cm tall and individual leaf is less than 1cm wide. I've put them in a corner of the tank so light is still good, though slightly shaded. How wide do the leaves grow?

Just took a look at that site. Wow, even within the same sp there are so many variations...

[Sleepy_lancs]

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On 11/16/2003 12:08:38 PM

Hi,

I just got myself some C. Crispulata. Was told by the LFS owner that even the suppliers mix up the Balansae and Crispulata, so I'm not 100% sure which one I have. Currently the plants are only about 20cm tall and individual leaf is less than 1cm wide. I've put them in a corner of the tank so light is still good, though slightly shaded. How wide do the leaves grow?

Just took a look at that site. Wow, even within the same sp there are so many variations...
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Yeap. The look quite similar however, C. Crispulata is slightly more demanding. When transplanted it will drop its leaves so you have to be patient. it will grow again. This plant requires bright lighting and lower temperature below 26 deg C. Good luck with your plant.