How much light does Balansae Cryptocoryne need?

Medium light, around 30–60 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of PAR. Watts are not comparable between fixtures; PAR is. If the manufacturer does not publish PAR, pick one band lower than the tank depth suggests.

Does Balansae Cryptocoryne need CO₂?

It is optional. Marked "optional": with CO₂ it grows faster and tighter, without it still does fine.

What water does Balansae Cryptocoryne want?

22–28 °C, pH 6.5–8, 3–15 dGH. At 12 dGH wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

How fast does Balansae Cryptocoryne grow, and where does it go?

Growth rate: slow. Placement: midground / background. Substrate: substrate required, reaching about 25–50 cm. Difficulty: moderate.

G-02 / 08Freshwater

Balansae Cryptocoryne巴拉椒草

Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae · Araceae

Long wavy leaves that tolerate harder, more alkaline water and give a vertical accent to the middle or back of the tank.

Illustration to come

G-02 / 08 · Balansae Cryptocoryne Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae

SpecificationsPlant atlas

Name: 巴拉椒草
Scientific name: Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae
Family: Araceae
Origin: Limestone streams of southern Thailand and the Malay Peninsula
Light: Medium light
PAR: 30–60
CO₂: Optional
Hardness: 3–15 dGH
Growth: Slow
Placement: Midground / Background
Substrate: Substrate required
Height: 25–50 cm
Level: Moderate

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.22–28 °C

pH6.5–8

Hardness3–15 dGH

Alkalinity2–10 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Growing notes

1The narrow, wavy-edged leaves reach 20 to 50 cm and work well slotted into gaps as a transition in the middle to back ground.
2It tolerates hard water and alkaline pH better than most crypts but still melts after a sudden change.
3Root fertiliser matters more than liquid feed; in a thin, lean substrate the leaves stay short and dull.
4It runs slowly, producing only a few daughters a year, so cut them with roots and some substrate attached and do not leave them out of water.
5Under weak light it spreads sideways instead of upward; medium light or more keeps it upright.

Frequently asked questions

How much light does Balansae Cryptocoryne need?: Medium light, around 30–60 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of PAR. Watts are not comparable between fixtures; PAR is. If the manufacturer does not publish PAR, pick one band lower than the tank depth suggests.
Does Balansae Cryptocoryne need CO₂?: It is optional. Marked "optional": with CO₂ it grows faster and tighter, without it still does fine.
What water does Balansae Cryptocoryne want?: 22–28 °C, pH 6.5–8, 3–15 dGH. At 12 dGH wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
How fast does Balansae Cryptocoryne grow, and where does it go?: Growth rate: slow. Placement: midground / background. Substrate: substrate required, reaching about 25–50 cm. Difficulty: moderate.