Your retailer was right, Cryptocorynes are really great low maintenance plants too. I think their leaf shape complements that of Anubias, making for a full display of foliage. Don't worry if the Cryptocorynes melt a while after you've planted them, it's just their way of adapting to a new environment, and will soon regrow.
If you were planning on soaking, don't worry about changing the water every day, I've left mine in a tub until it looks like a giant cup of tea. Yeah, I also often boil or heat sticks, leaves, and other organic objects to make them sink faster, how quickly they settle depends on the type of wood and how dry it is, I guess.