tsunami

I'm trying to get back on track with the weekly topics now. Sorry for the the recent slow down.

Some background:

Some time in the 1990s, Rayon Vert, a Japanese company specializing in very rare fish, plants, and shrimp, imported the first Tonina sp into that country. From there, demand for these beautiful plants began to increase exponentially in the Far East. Some hobbyists began to devote their entire aquariums to these unusual aquatic plants --and not only Toninas, but also fine leaved Ludwigias, Eriocaulons, rare Bacopas, Polygonums, and Rotalas. These hobbyists are collectors, at least. But are they also creating a new aquascaping style in the process?

These aquariums, for the most part, have little in the way of hardscaping like Amano's --few rocks and little wood. Instead, the plants are carefully organized into groups. However, I can't really call them adaptations of the Dutch style since they are too open plus lack the rows of plants that lead the eye.

Here are some examples:











What plants are they using?:

The most popular plants in Tonina aquariums include:

Ludwigia sp Pantanal


Rotala macrandra


Polygonum sp Sao Paulo


Proserpinaca palustris


Tonina sp Belem


Tonina fluviatilis


Eriocaulon setaceum


Rotala macrandra 'green'



How to setup a Tonina tank:

Toninas, since they grow in dense carpets in blackwater tributaries in the Amazon River of South America, require really soft, acidic water to look their best in aquariums. The substrate should be acidic, with a thin layer of peat at the bottom covered by a thick layer of Florabase (similar to ADA Aquasoil) or Eco-complete. The water should be reasonably soft. In my experience, water with KH 4 and GH 5 is adequate for growing these plants well. I'm currently growing the Tonina fluviatilis in tap water with KH 8, GH 12. I'll report back on if it does well or not. The key to growing Toninas and Eriocaulons well is intense, unobstructed light (3-4 wpg PC is a good amount to aim for) and CO2 injection.

To propagate these plants, simply cut off a sideshoot and replant in a well lit location --just like any other stem plant. However, in my experience, Eriocaulon setaceum does not like to be pruned too frequently.

If you are interested in learning more about Toninas (and know Chinese), I urge you to visit:
http://www.tonina-forest.net/

Where can I find some of these plants?:

Rotala macrandra and Proserpinaca palustris are reasonably common in the trade. Feel free to post a request on the trade/sell forum of this site. Another option is to order Rotala macrandra from the many online vendors who sell it --although be forewarned that it does not travel well.

Tonina sp, Tonina fluviatilis, Eriocaulon setaceum, Eriocaulon cinereum, Rotala macrandra 'green', and Polygonum sp can be obtained from any local fish store or online vendor who can import plants from Oriental Aquarium in Singapore. Talk to them or email them. They should be able to help you out. Also, many of these plants regularly appear on Aquabid.

My questions to you:

1) Is anyone here currently maintaining an aquarium devoted to these plants?

2) Are these aquariums part of an aquascaping style all their own, or are they simply collector's tanks? What are their design strengths and weaknesses?

3) Which is your favorite of the five aquariums selected? Why do you like it best? Critique it!

Carlos

gpodio

You're killing me Carlos! Beautiful plants!!

I'd love to get my hands on some Ludwigia sp Pantanal and Tonina sp Belem!

Giancarlo Podio

cactusdoug

1) Is anyone here currently maintaining an aquarium devoted to these plants?

Not me, but I'd love to.

"Are these aquariums part of an aquascaping style all their own, or are they simply collector's tanks? What are their design strengths and weaknesses?

I think they do have a style, not simply "Collectors Tanks"
"Collectors Tanks" tend to look like little farms.

To me they capture the spirit of the Asian Jungle.

The strengths to me are the placement of the swath of background plants enveloping the focal plants.

The weakness to me is the lack of hardscaping, I'd like to see more use of rock and gravel.

3) Which is your favorite of the five aquariums selected? Why do you like it best? Critique it!

I like the last tank, #5.
I love the balance of the plants, I absolutely love the focal plant in the front, very graceful and beautiful.

But again, I'd like to see some rocks and a maybe a clearing with some gravel and wood.

CD

Hanzo

I love the first tank for some reason, don't even know why myself. It's a very clean and easy tank, and the red stand out so nicely. Also, the colors of the tank are so strong it just screaming how healty everything is. It look's great!

Since I live in norway, there's no chance of getting this anytime soon... But maybe I can I should try buying a good bunch from some of you guys soon an add some new species to the norwegian plant list

Pigheaddd

1) Is anyone here currently maintaining an aquarium devoted to these plants?

here. just started about a month, and more species to come. tonina-forest.net is my guide and make some friends there, so no any problem at all now.

2) Are these aquariums part of an aquascaping style all their own, or are they simply collector's tanks? What are their design strengths and weaknesses?

i think its their own style. they normally do not use rock and driftwood in this aquascaping. only plants as Tonina sp. and Eriocaulon sp. are most popular plants now. actually, its not popular from now. its popular at least two years in some Asia countries. for me. its both collector and aquascaping tank.

3) Which is your favorite of the five aquariums selected? Why do you like it best? Critique it!

i like #5. its well balanced. i just like the way it is. 2nd one is #1. it simply looks pretty. =D>


ps:i'm looking for all Eriocaulon sp. escecially Eriocaulon sp. from Australia. if you can get it and 100% sure thats what i want. please pm me. i'm working on possibility ship it directly from Japan now. hope everything is going well, and then i can have what i need soon. wish me luck!

enjoy your Tonina tank,

Tim

Bert H

Carlos,

You mention Toninas being 'soft water' plants, would you put the pantanal in that same grouping? Having hard north fl well water, pretty much eliminates my ability to use Toninas, but I was wondering about the pantanals.

tsunami

The fine leaved Ludwigias (Cuba, Pantanal) grow just fine in harder water. Neither are too difficult to grow with good light, CO2, etc.

Carlos

dennis

Nice topic Carlos.

I guess i will throw in my two cents regarding your questions. No, None of thos eplants Although I too would love to get some of the L. pantanal or Tonina sp.

Your second question, "Are these aquariums part of an aquascaping style all their own, or are they simply collector's tanks? What are their design strengths and weaknesses?", is difficult for me to answer. I have not been in the trade long but aside from using new or rare plants I don't see anything "different" about these aquascapes. They are beautiful but I would not call them original, at least in the sense of crearting an aquascaping style. It is possible some of these people are collectors however, I also believe that many of these plants are much more avaliable to them than to someone like me. I also do not use collector as a negative term. I could not even special order one of those plants at any of my LFS. One day though MY store will though

Third question, "Which is your favorite of the five aquariums selected? Why do you like it best? Critique it!"

Well, personally the 5th one down is my favorite. It seems very "jurassic" and prehistoric. I just think it is fun for starters but hten as I look more carefully and start to cretique it I find that it seems to be well designed too. The three Erio. sps. in the front make a nice, well balanced focal point and the overall effect of the colors and textures I find to be very pleasing. The only draw back I see to it is the lack of strong hardscape. I actually find the lack of hardscape in all but the 4th to be dissapointing. I would assume that tsunami would agree with me there This lack seems to make them all appear "uncomplete".

I must say though that I think they are all beautiful aquariums and they certainly all have their strengths. I can crituque all I want but they are all much nicer than anything of mine, so I'll stop there

On a side note, I feel collectoritis coming on

Error

Tonina isn't collector's disease.

My 46 gallon, with 58 species in it, is collector's disease.

Phil Edwards

I would say that it is a sort of nascent aquascaping style. Most of the Tonina Tanks I've seen have been Chinese and they all look very much like Chinese Watercolor paintings I've seen. The fine leaf textures and droopy habit lend a soft, almost dreamy, feel to the aquascape which is prevalent in many Asian/Chinese water colors I've seen. Just like Amano tries to duplicate natural essences I think the Tonina Tank attempts to capture the essence of those water color paintings.

My .02,
Phil