[Magdelaine]

Does your crypt growth look anything like this?

http://www.fishforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7553

If so, than you definitely need to add some fertilizer. I since moved this plant to my 29 gallon, to which I add Florish, and the new growth is bright green. Also, I find my plants, especially my hornwort, get brown too...from diatomaceous algae! I run my hands over it and it comes off, leaving nice green grown. As you have a new tank I would double check to make sure it's not something growing ON the plants. And finally, in a book I got from the library, I saw a pic of hornwort that was red/brown from being exposed to too much light. That shouldn't be a prob for you but I thought I would mention it.

BTW, how are your otos doing? I'm having more of an algae problem than you and I'm considering getting some. I think our tanks are about the same age...