why does Tonina sp. become like this(pics)?

[a-hua]

hi

why does Tonina fluviatilis (or belem?) become like this ?

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd125/a-hua/DSC01239.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd125/a-hua/DSC01240.jpg

 

[ccLansman]

poor parameters, bad co2 or bad fert routine. If you notice its only the old stuff that has issues. What is your current setup? Lights? Flow rate? Fert routine? Co2 method?

 

[Tom Barr]

New growth looks okay, but the lower part reeks of bad CO2.
It's a weed of a plant.

But will die and not look good if the CO2 is poor or you don't add ferts etc.
This looks like CO2 to me.

I had 2-3 Sq ft growing in my 180 for a few months, got tried of trimming it.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[a-hua]

New growth looks okay, but the lower part reeks of bad CO2.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd125/a-hua/DSC01243.jpg

co2 problem???
above pic is how i add co2...more than 2-3 bubbles/sec + powerhead
and the little white spots in the pic are all co2 bubbles(isn't is co2 mist?)

is the flow(powerhead) too fast?
or should i just change to another co2 way ?

tank info
31*23*27cm
half of 20w philips t8 865, 12 hours/day
grain soil
co2(12 hours/day)+powerheard
26'C(28'C 3 days before)
EI+excel
kh=2-3
use Al2(SO4)3‧14H2O, Aluminum Sulfate to lower the kh (tap water kh is about 3)

 

[Tom Barr]

You have algae on the bottom 4/5th of the plants

Something is wrong or was wrong and has now been corrected.

One of the two...........

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Tom Barr]

Use 10hours /day light, not 12.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[a-hua]

You have algae on the bottom 4/5th of the plants

it is strange this kind of algae(dust algae on the leaf) happened often in my tank. why?
i drop lots shrimps to solve it several times.

 

[a-hua]

Use 10hours /day light, not 12.

why?
i think 12 is better than 10 hours for plant.

 

[Tom Barr]

it is strange this kind of algae(dust algae on the leaf) happened often in my tank. why?
i drop lots shrimps to solve it several times.

I do not have it with or without shrimp............

A lack of shrimp is not why you have/don't have algae.
They are just icing on the cake so to speak.

I know what poor CO2 looks like on this plant.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Tom Barr]

why?
i think 12 is better than 10 hours for plant.

Then do what you think is best.
The plant does not need more than 10 hours, no plant does.

Regards,
Tom barr

 

[a-hua]

A lack of shrimp is not why you have/don't have algae.

do i write something wrong?

this algae happened several times in my tank,
and everytime the plant's glow become very slowly.

i use shrimps to eat them,
but why the algae happen?
how can i prevent it ?

 

[a-hua]

The plant does not need more than 10 hours, no plant does.

that is one aquarium owner in taiwan told me 12 hour,
but i don't know why.

if 10 is good,
i will exchange to because money .

thanks tom.

 

[Tom Barr]

No, it's just another way to rephrasing things so you think about the algae issue correctly.

Do you think that you must have lots of shrimp to keep tonia or any plant algae free?

No.........

This issue is really one of CO2.
I have seen this on Tonia in many tanks, and the CO2 is the root issue.
If the KH is lower, say 4 degrees or less, then you should be okay, other than CO2, and lower KH, the plant is not that picky, nor demands high light.

As you have okay growth on the top, you are still having some growth, just not optimal. The algae of this type is telling also, it really suggest suboptimal CO2.

I've seen this same picture in other tanks here and adding a bit more CO2 took care of it. It might not be as simple as adding a bit more CO2, you might need to clean things up, add more plant biomass, change some filter issues etc.

Current, filters, surface movement all influence CO2 and can a great deal.

Large frequent water changes in the morning right after the lights come on can tell you quickly if it's a CO2 issue, as the plants will pearl and do much better that day and the non water change days.

Regards,
Tom Barr