Bamboo

[daz_st170]

hi wondering is if it is possible to plant bamboo into my tank, just the general type you find in garden centre that in in the small fancu asian type pot usually for window sills think this would look great in tank

 

[oliesminis]

i dont think that bamboo is suitable for tanks. if i remember correctly it rots quickly and pollutes the water

 

[Rlon35]

hi wondering is if it is possible to plant bamboo into my tank, just the general type you find in garden centre that in in the small fancu asian type pot usually for window sills think this would look great in tank

^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Try looking up Red Mangroves. I am keeping 4 of them in my 92 gallon corner tank, and they virutally eliminate Nitrates. I give them plenty of iron, potassium, and calcium. I am largely growing them fully submerged, which people will tell you won't work. Well, this plant can grow submerged, but I'd recommend changing 50 percent of the water weekly and waiting a day to replenish the water, so as the mangrove has some time not being submerged. You must have an open top tank, however. My idea was to keep these with discus, as they will do a good job of keeping the water quality good. I ordered these fom Hawaii, through EBAY.

 

[bagu]

hey Rlon35, any chance of a few piccies?

im gonna buy some i think; they sound great to keep the nitrAtes down

 

[three-fingers]

I would not recommend mangroves.

Reason 1: I have never seen or read any convincing evidence they can be grown submerged. At best they may survive and use energy stores to get 'bigger', but don't be fooled into thinking this is actual growth, as they don't actually gain any dry mass and are basically just stretching out to try and get out of the water. Of course it makes sense for them to be able to survive extended periods of time under water, but that's all they are doing: surviving temporarily.

Reason 2: Best case scenario, congratulations, you have just discovered the worlds first fully aquatic tree. These things get big, waaaaaaaaaaay too big for your average aquarium.

For the OP: Unfortunately not submerged, but the 'lucky bamboo' plant you speak of does well in tanks if you let tthe leaves out of the water and put a light above them. The species you are talking about is Dracaena sanderiana and is actually often falsely sold as an aquatic plant in many LFS's, though they die underwater after a few weeks to a few months.

 

[Rlon35]

Reason 1: I have never seen or read any convincing evidence they can be grown submerged. At best they may survive and use energy stores to get 'bigger', but don't be fooled into thinking this is actual growth, as they don't actually gain any dry mass and are basically just stretching out to try and get out of the water. ^^^^^^^^^^

I give them at least a full day or two per week out of the water at this point. They are the only mangrove, as per what I have read, that can be grown fully submerged. You may be right, of course, but I would grow them over bamboo all the time. Bamboo is a bad idea IMO, unless it is dead... ...and coated...?...

I am growing one as a bonzai, outside on my porch. The submerged ones in my tank look much healthier. I do agree that the mangroves will get too big for an aquarium, but you can cut it down, as it will grow wider, and it will take a very long time (years?) to outgrow the tank.