Tonina Belem: a challenge for a scapist

Are you prepared to advance your hobby of keeping aquariums? If so, let’s discuss about the gorgeous but demanding Tonina Belem plant. With its vivid green hue and delicately divided leaves, this aquarium plant can truly stand out as the focal point of a well-kept tank. It’s not just a show-stopper, though; it needs a little more maintenance than the typical aquatic plant.

Tonina belem is native to the Amazon basin, where it thrives in soft water with lots of nutrients. It’s highly regarded for both its distinctive appearance and the difficulty it presents to committed aquarists. It can flourish and produce an amazing underwater landscape, but certain conditions must be met for it to do so. To keep this plant happy, you’ll need to monitor the CO2 levels, lighting, and water quality closely.

Tonina Belem can provide an enjoyable experience for individuals who are prepared to take on the challenge. The health and growth of the plant will be a direct result of your efforts to keep it in the ideal habitat. It can become a magnificent feature in your tank with the correct setup, enhancing the beauty of your aquarium hobby and giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Distribution

Brazil is where Belem is from. Tonina was discovered there, close to Belem, in streams and rivers that were close to the Amazon River’s mouth. The plant is widely distributed in the northern portion of South America and throughout Central America.

The Japanese gave Tonina her name and made it popular in aquatic sports. It is hardly surprising that the city of the same name served as their inspiration.

Growing and care

Considered to be one of the most challenging and fickle plants is Tonina Belem.

There are several explanations for this:

• Lighting should be very intense and direct.
• Tonina prefers only soft water, reacting negatively even to medium hardness.
• Feeding with micro- and macroelements, as well as carbon dioxide (CO2) is mandatory.
• Incorrect pruning leads to the loss of the plant"s appearance and a "liquid" crown.
• Due to the relatively slow growth rate of Tonina, it is necessary to carefully consider the composition and neighborhood with other plants.

The following are the main elements influencing Belem’s growth and development:

Water parameters for ideal maintenance

The following water parameters are what Tonina prefers:

• neutral acidity – from 5.0 to 7.0 pH

• low hardness – from 0 to 8 dH

• warm temperature – from 18°C ​​to 28°C

Only soft water is ideal for beem growth. The ideal range for the carbonate hardness index is between 0 and 3, with an upper limit of 4 degrees. When the tips of the Tonina leaves start to turn yellow or brown, it’s a sign that the leaves are getting harder.

Maintaining the water’s temperature in the upper range—ideally above 20°C—is preferable.

Belem is sensitive to algae fouling and prefers clean water, so the aquarium needs a good filter. A weekly replacement of 50% of the tank’s total capacity should take place.

Lighting requirements

Direct and strong light is preferred (1–1.5 W/l, though 0.8 W/l is also suitable). At least ten hours of daylight are present. Fluorescent and metal halide lamps are both excellent choices.

To prevent the Tonina’s growth from slowing down, make sure that no surrounding plants shade it.

Requirements for soil, nutrient substrate

Acidic or slightly acidic soils are preferred by belem. Tonina has a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi, so adding peat or any other material containing them beneath the substrate will promote better growth.

Before planting, a layer of soil 10 cm thick should be covered with a nutrient substrate 1-2 cm thick. This will facilitate the tonina’s quicker root system formation.

Demanding of fertilizers

Belem requires continuous carbon dioxide fertilization in order to grow. Mineral fertilizers ought to be administered on a regular basis, ideally once a week.

Thus, the plant will be able to:

• get the necessary nutrition under intense lighting;
• accelerate growth;
• not lose leaves;
• maintain a rich green color.

It is advised to apply fertilizers that contain macro- and microelements, iron in particular, nitrates and phosphates in a 10/1 ratio.

It is important to keep in mind that harmful algae (blue-green, xenococcus, etc.) can grow when there are too many nutrients available. To deal with them, use "Sidex" (about 15-20 ml per 100 l) and meticulous mechanical cleaning.

Aquarium enthusiasts will find Tonina Belem, a striking but demanding plant with complex growth patterns and vivid colors, to be quite captivating. Although it can turn a tank into a lush, visually striking display, many hobbyists find it difficult to use due to its requirements, which include very soft, acidic water and high light levels. This post will examine the special maintenance needs of Tonina Belem and provide advice and insights to those who are prepared to take on the challenges involved in creating a healthy aquatic habitat.

Reproduction

Belem is propagated vegetatively, meaning that the top portion of the plant is chopped off and then planted in the ground.

• In an adult plant, the top needs to be trimmed by about 4-5 cm.

• The resulting seedling is placed in the ground and pressed down with a stone.

Cutting is an easy way to spread thinina.

It is crucial that the length of the cut segments not be longer than 4 cm because:

• a long seedling will take root along the entire lower part of the stem and will look unsightly;
• short seedlings grow more intensively;
• a short-cut adult plant will no longer be able to form a sufficiently fluffy top.

For any aquarium enthusiast, Tonina Belem is a captivating yet demanding plant. It can be a standout feature in a tank due to its unusual appearance and growth habits, but it’s important to understand how much maintenance it needs. This plant can tolerate high light, soft water, and low nutrient levels—conditions that many hobbyists find difficult. For those wishing to create an exquisite aquatic environment, its unique requirements can be quite challenging.

Tonina Belem presents a fulfilling experience for individuals who relish a challenge. Growing this plant successfully will not only make your aquarium look better, but it will also help you learn more about caring for aquatic plants. Your confidence as an aquarist can be greatly increased by witnessing Tonina Belem thrive.

In the end, Tonina Belem is not a project for the timid, but for committed enthusiasts, it can be rewarding. This plant can create a lush, colorful underwater landscape in your aquarium given the proper circumstances and a little perseverance. Accept the challenge, and you’ll probably discover that your efforts are rewarded with a breathtaking display of the splendor of nature in your tank.

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