skylsdale

I'm putting together an 80 gal tank (48"x18"x23.25") to house a group of chocolate gouramies. I plan on using a soil base (probably with a little peat) with a gravel cap and use almost solely crypts, and even then just 1-2 different species. My hope is to create a nice, overgrown swamp. I'm thinking of having the tank only about 2/3 full to promote some emergent growth as well.

Now, chocolates are found on the Malayan peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra. I have been doing a lot of reading from field reports that local hobbiests from these areas have on their websites, as well as looking at the Crypt Pages. From what I can gather, the only two species I really have available to me from these areas are C. ciliata and cordata (v. blassii). From what the Crypt Pages state, it seems that ciliata is predominantly found in brackish and tidal areas--does anyone know if it has a broader habitat preference than that? Also, I know that these plants can get fairly large, but I plan on pretty much giving them free reign over the real estate in there. However, never keeping crypts before, I can't really envision how they will end up growing out--any shots you might have of them would be greatly appreciated! (i.e. do they lose submerged leaves once they break the water, leaving only stalks, etc?)

A couple questions:

1. Does anyone have any other suggestions of decently available crypt spp. from these areas?

2. Does anyone have any suggestions of good online vendors or sources for crypts (Aquatic Plant Depot and Aquabotanic are all that I'm aware of)?

Thanks!