Bamboo

[RedStarFishy]

I have a stalk of bamboo that I am wondering if i can plant somehow in one of my fish tanks. it is like one of those ones you see just sitting in a pot of water. i know they do better in soil, but its been doing good in its 'pot' of water, and i would think the addition of fish waste, etc would help it. this brings up two questions:

1) will this plant be ok with the fish, ie no transfer of bad chemicals (more concerned about plant to fish than fish to plant), etc. I know that sounds odd, but better be safe than sorry.

2) how do i root the thing? i know the leaves need to be above the water, so i would somehow have to make a shelf for it and that just seems odd. any suggestions on how to make it look good? it's not a tall plant yet, maybe six inches so whatever it rests on would have to be relatively big. I was thinking, if possible, planting it into a 29g.

thank you for any suggestions!

 

[sgstvoy]

What substrate do you use? You could use some pebbles or gravel, and use them to 'prop' (if you know what I mean) up the bamboo. I have this idea, you cuold make a few stalks of bamboo the centrepiece, and prop it up in pebbles. Then around it, get black, white and brown gravel, make it like a Zen garden, contrasting the various colours. Would look great if done right.

If you haven't done anything to the plant (i.e. use fertilizers, pesticides or chemicals of any kind) then I think it should be OK. But you should try it with 1 stalk of bamboo and some tank water, and see if they're compatable.

Bamboos need freshwater with minimal salt in it, so plan ahead.

And one more thing. It'll look better in groups of 4 or 5. And make sure they won't grow 'too' big, otherwise you'll have a problem.

 

[RedStarFishy]

What substrate do you use? You could use some pebbles or gravel, and use them to 'prop' (if you know what I mean) up the bamboo. I have this idea, you cuold make a few stalks of bamboo the centrepiece, and prop it up in pebbles. Then around it, get black, white and brown gravel, make it like a Zen garden, contrasting the various colours. Would look great if done right.

If you haven't done anything to the plant (i.e. use fertilizers, pesticides or chemicals of any kind) then I think it should be OK. But you should try it with 1 stalk of bamboo and some tank water, and see if they're compatable.

Well, we've always used gravel and when i get this tank completely stocked again, i would like to use gravel, but i imagine i could put anything there. i can see what you mean, by making a mountain of gravel, then planting the bamboo into it. but then that means i have to have the hood off, unless i plant it in the back where i could cut some holes out? hmm. that is an awesome idea, of a zen garden. i was hoping to get an angelfish or two to grow out and eventually live in the 150g, and i would think they would go beautiful with a zen theme.

as for fertilzers, since the bamboo is basically in a pot of water, all i've put in is the fertilzers i use for my other planted tanks. so it should be fine.

i only have one stalk now, but if the experiment goes well, then i'll pick up more to make it look better. maybe i can find a definate dwarf breed of bamboo so it won't get too big! Thought it would be funny to carry out a six foot bamboo stalk, along with the 150g, 75g, 55g, 29g, two chinchillas, two cats, and other things out of the apartment when we move! lol

 

[sgstvoy]

Woah. That's a nice collection! I have only 2 15 gal tanks and a smaller one. PErhaps when I'm older (I'm 17), have a stable job and live on the ground floor (LOL) then maybe I'll get a 150g long, heh. My college has a 150g long marine environment! I thought it was mega cool.

 

[nc_nutcase]

I have had a bamboo plant in with my betta for years. If I remember correctly I got them both in the same week (over 3 years ago). Around half a year ago my Betta was upgraded to a 5 Gal aquarium with a filter, heater and light. I know it was somewhat unnecessary but I let the aquarium cycle, so it is has essentially everything a larger aquarium has. The bamboo is doing fine as is the aquarium as is Sam (my Betta).

Sometimes I burry the stalk/roots and sometimes I just leave it on the floor of the tank. The stem is about... 2.5-3 feet high with 1.5-2 feet leaves growing out the top. I just ran it up through a hole in the back of the hood. It looks cool, yet a little goofy, but it's what I wanted and doesn't hurt the Betta... so I'll keep it