Tonina Fluviatilis Poor Health

[Easternlethal]

I have a high tech medium lit EI tank that isn't able to grow Tonina for some reason.

On some stems the leaves just go patchy and it does nothing or waste away just leaving the stem. I have other more demanding plants like pogostemmon helferi and rotala macandras right next to it which are doing very well.

Had anyone had similar problems and how did you over come it?

My light is between par 35 and 45 and I have soft water which i add gh booster too (probably around 4gh). CO2 is cranked up as high as I feel comfortable for the fish.

What am I missing?

 

[Straight Shooter]

Tonina is difficult to grow well.

Needs high light
Acidic substrate
Not too much competition from other plants.
Trim plants, uproot them and replant the tops. It doesn't like trimming much.

 

[rebel]

Probably more light and more CO2 and flow. It's a very difficult plant. Any pics?

Other plants mentioned pale in comparison compared to the difficulty of Tonina.

 

[Straight Shooter]

When replanting Tonina it's best to use short cuttings, around 3 inches. Otherwise growth can look ratty.

It's common to see rotting at the base of the stem from poor trimming technique, or when light levels aren't high enough. They are a high-maintenance plant for people who love trimming and replanting, instead of the rest of us who can't be bothered.

They don't just like acidic substrate, also have preference for soft-water.

 

[Easternlethal]

I chose it because I originally increased my lighting to bring out the red in my plants and wanted something that would not grow too fast. At the rate they grow I don't think I will need to do do much trimming compared to my macandras and rotundifolias.

Can they survive in say 4hrs of medium light but 4hrs of high light?

 

[Straight Shooter]

I think they'll need at least 4 hrs high light to do well, 6-8 hrs might be better. They do grow in medium light, just not as well as they could.

 

[Easternlethal]

Okay I'm going to experiment with 72 par for 2hrs - 32 par for 2hrs - 72 par for 2hrs - 32 par for 1hr cycle

 

[burr740]

Okay I'm going to experiment with 72 par for 2hrs - 32 par for 2hrs - 72 par for 2hrs - 32 par for 1hr cycle

Be better to go something like 32 for two hours, then 72 for four, then 32 for another one or two.

Having a drop in the middle goes against the light pattern in nature and will only confuse the plant imo.

This is different from a low tech tank where an "off" period in the middle can offer some benefits (according to some opinions)