Bamboo Okay?

**MarsAquatics** · 01-18-2012, 10:39 AM

A piece of bamboo was given to me at random when I was at the flea market the other day. Right now its inhabiting a cup of water, but I was wondering if I could add it to my tank without killing everything?
It has a good root system, so I can place it in the substrate no problem, its tall enough to stick out of the back of the tank (10 gal). As far my tank goes its freshwater, heavily planted, with a yoyo loach and two harlequin rasboras, along with god knows how many snails. Temperatures also around 76*F. I dunno if anymore information is needed or not.. D: Thanks!

**Aeonflame** · 01-18-2012, 11:16 AM

Do you mean lucky bamboo? These are not actual bamboo plants. If you add it to your tank, most of the plant should be out of the water.

**Pamela2Heaven** · 01-18-2012, 11:18 AM

If you are talking about the green lucky bamboo - I have about 15 stalks in my 55 gallon and 15 stalks in a 20 gallon. Mine seems to be flourishing. My water is 78 in the 55 and 80 in the 20g. I have them staggered at the end of each tank - like a little forrest - my fish seem to love them and the snails certainly do.

**Aeonflame** · 01-18-2012, 11:20 AM

These are not aquatic plants and will eventually rot if fully submersed.

**Pamela2Heaven** · 01-18-2012, 11:24 AM

So far mine have been in 3 months or more and no problems - I am keeping an eye on them incase they look like they are in stress - but as of now still fully green.

**Aeonflame** · 01-18-2012, 11:34 AM

Keep an eye on the leaves. They are mildly toxic.

**FinalJenemba** · 01-18-2012, 01:53 PM

aeon's right. Lucky bamboo can't live fully under water. They take a really long time to die, so can "live" under the water for a really long time, but wont ever grow and will eventually rot away. If you want em to grow you gotta have allot of the plant above water like aeon said.

**ladygoodwrench** · 01-18-2012, 02:16 PM

This is how I did my Lucky Bamboo.. I had an old filter box to a 2 gallon fish cube. I cut the bottom of it off, slid the bamboo into the filter box, stuck it to the side of the tank with the suction cups, and reinforced it with duct tape. It is currently in my 25 gallon tank, and in this 10 gallon tank, I have a philodendron that is rooted in the aquarium water.

**MarsAquatics** · 01-18-2012, 11:21 PM

Yeah, its lucky bamboo, my bad (terrible with plant names).
Its a pretty tall stalk, if it were put into the tank about five or six inches would be above the water, not to mention the leaves would be above the cover as well. If anything I'll take it out if it starts to show any health problems.
And that is one awesomely healthy looking plant(plants?) Ladygoodwrench. I like that idea a lot, a friend of mine got two smaller stalks that are around four or so inches in total height, so if she doesn't do anything with hers, I might adopt them and try out your idea.

Thank you for the suggestions everyone!

**ldoerr** · 01-19-2012, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by ladygoodwrench

This is how I did my Lucky Bamboo.. I had an old filter box to a 2 gallon fish cube. I cut the bottom of it off, slid the bamboo into the filter box, stuck it to the side of the tank with the suction cups, and reinforced it with duct tape. It is currently in my 25 gallon tank, and in this 10 gallon tank, I have a philodendron that is rooted in the aquarium water.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...2-21090850.jpg

That is really cool. I love it and have never seen healthier bamboo.