Cryptocoryne melts after water change/top up!!

[sonique]

Crypt lovers, how do you prevent or reduce the melting process of submersed crypts due to topping up of water or water change?

i used to have 2 tanks, so what i did was to use the non-crypt tank's water to top up my crypt tank...but have since decommisioned one of the tank and now left with a low maintanence crypt tank...

[vinz]

Crypts usually melt to adjust to new conditions (dispose old leaves, grow new suitable ones). Most often to adapt from emersed to submersed conditions. Changing water or topping up should not cause a melt, unless you are stirring up a lot of dirt or doing a lot of replanting or uprooting.

So far, I've not have problems with crypts melting after as big as a 50% water change.

From your post, I can't figure out whether you are asking before you try water change from tap or whether you've done so from tap and experienced a melt.

In the former case, try a change from tap first and see if your crypts melt. If you are really worried, then use water aged in a pail.

On the latter case, let the leaves re-grow and water change again. The crypts may have adapted to the new water source.

[gchoo]

Try to add some K2S04 inside the tank after you change your water...*wink*

[sonique]

the leaves melt after water change/top up....

but for the leaves to re-grow, it may take a few days/weeks to sprout 1 new leave but when melt, a few stalks will melt at the same time...so in the end the crypt left 1 or 2 leaves only...!!

gchoo,
adding K2SO4 meaning the plants are taking in nutrients from K or SO4?? would it be the same if i add KH2PO4??

[gchoo]

Plants are taking in the K. I dont think you want to put KH2PO4 in excess...