Who Gives A Fish Forums

My Cryptocoryne wendtii keeps melting, even though my tank params seem fine. 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate, pH 7.2. It's in a 20 gallon with sand substrate and moderate lighting. Anyone got tips to stop the melt?

Crypt melt is super common when they're adjusting. How long have they been in the tank? If it's less than a month, they might just be settling in. Keep the water stable and avoid moving them around.

Yep, Crypts hate being moved. Once they're in, let 'em chill. Also, what's your lighting schedule? Too much can stress 'em out. I run mine 6 hours a day with a siesta break.

Mine did the same thing. I added root tabs and they bounced back after a few weeks. Maybe try that if your substrate isn't nutrient-rich?

north_rose wrote: ↑Wed Jun 04, 2025 3:07 pm Yep, Crypts hate being moved. Once they're in, let 'em chill. Also, what's your lighting schedule? Too much can stress 'em out. I run mine 6 hours a day with a siesta break.

Agreed on the lighting. I've found Crypts do better in lower light. Maybe dial it back and see if that helps.

Crypts are drama queens, man. Mine melted to nothing, then came back like nothing happened. Just don't panic and keep the water clean. They'll sort themselves out.

Are you using any fertilizers? I dose a bit of potassium and iron, and my Cryptocoryne has never melted. Could be worth a shot.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try reducing the light and adding root tabs. Fingers crossed!

sundog9 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 04, 2025 7:49 pm Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try reducing the light and adding root tabs. Fingers crossed!

Keep us posted! Crypts can be stubborn, but they're worth the wait.

Oh, and if you're using CO2, make sure it's consistent. Fluctuations can mess with Crypts too. Just another thing to check.