{"product_id":"cryptocoryne-balansae","title":"Cryptocoryne Balansae","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCryptocoryne balansae is the tall, ribbon-leaved crypt, its long green blades embossed with a hammered, quilted texture that ripples in the flow. Unlike the low-growing wendtii crypts, this one climbs to the back of the tank and makes a striking, moving screen of green. Supplied as a clean tissue-culture cup, pest-, snail- and algae-free and ready to plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt grows in the fast-flowing rivers and streams of Thailand and Laos, rooted in mineral-rich substrates and often in harder, calcium-bearing water. Recreating that means a nutrient substrate, moderate light and, ideally, water with a decent mineral content – it genuinely appreciates hardness rather than very soft, acidic conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLong, narrow, strap-like leaves with a distinctive puckered or bullate surface rise from a central rootstock, fresh to olive green and up to 40–60 cm or more in a tall tank. As a tissue-culture portion it arrives small and emersed-grown; expect it to melt back and then regrow submerged leaves from the roots, which is normal for crypts and not a cause for alarm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA background plant despite older labelling – its height and fluted leaves make a natural backdrop rather than a midground filler. Give it space to spread by runners into a grove, and keep it clear of fine foreground plants it would shade. Once settled it dislikes being moved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRinse the culture gel from the roots, separate the little plantlets, and plant the roots in the substrate with the crown just above the surface – bury roots, not crown. Root tabs under it pay dividends. It propagates by runners, sending up daughter plants nearby that can be lifted and replanted once rooted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate to high light brings out the hammered leaf texture; CO2 is not required but promotes fuller growth. It is a root feeder, so use root tabs in a nutrient substrate, and it prefers harder water – calcium shortage shows as curled, deformed leaves. Comfortable at 20–28 °C, pH 6.0–8.0, medium to hard water. Growth is moderate once established; expect an initial melt as it converts to submerged growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBalansae Crypt\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoutheast Asia (Thailand, Laos)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40–60 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBackground\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to High\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required (beneficial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoot tabs (root feeder)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–18 dGH (prefers harder water)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRunners (daughter plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBackground planting, community tanks, harder water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuits most peaceful community fish, tetras, rasboras, gouramis, dwarf cichlids, livebearers, shrimp and snails, all of which leave the tough leaves alone. Its height gives shy fish somewhere to retreat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLarge diggers and big cichlids disturb the roots and trigger melt, and very soft, acidic tanks work against its preference for mineral-rich water. Avoid frequent replanting, which sets it back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or local delivery. Sold sizes\/portions reflect what we stock; anything shown as sold out will return as we restock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234096038179,"sku":"AA2161","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Other listing (SKU AA1598)","offer_id":55304234336547,"sku":"AA1598","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Crypt._balansae_Cryptocoryne_crispatula_balansae.jpg?v=1781487615","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/cryptocoryne-balansae","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}