What is happening to my Crypts?

[SteveKing88]

I have two Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green that have taken a turn. I've had them for about three months. They initially went through the typical melt and them started growing into really nice plants. The first picture is from a couple of weeks ago. The second is from today.

If it's not clear in the photos, today they look sort of wilted, darker green a kind of shinny.

What could cause this?

Water parameters measured today: Ammonia: 0 ppm; Nitrites: 0 ppm; Nitrates: 25 ppm; GH: 25 ppm; KH: 0 ppm pH: 6.4; Temp 77.5 F

[Gator]

@SteveKing88; All living creatures on this planet need iron, lack of iron may be your problem.

[eatyourpeas]

Do you have root tabs under the substrate? If you put any, the three month mark is about the time where you'll need to replenish. As @Gator said, the lighter top leaves may indicate an iron deficiency.

[SteveKing88]

Yes, I did use root tabs. I will add more.

[FiShrewd]

is it strange that my crypts did not melt

On 11/17/2021 at 12:35 AM, SteveKing88 said:

 

[Mmiller2001]

I think your GH is too low. I would start there.

[SteveKing88]

Thank you all for the comments. Do you think these leaves will perk back up with corrections to water chemistry and fertilizer? Or, should I prune them back and wait for new growth?

[Mmiller2001]

I would keep them as is until new growth establishes.