Adding several plants to aquariums can add a touch of class to your tank. Likewise, it can also be of very beneficial effect on your fishes because it provides them with a hiding place. It also stimulates the natural habitats of the fish, thereby helping the fish thrive better in the tank.
Can You Put Lucky Bamboo In An Aquarium With Fish?
It is not advisable to keep lucky bamboo in an aquarium. The roots require to be submerged in the water but the leaves require air and will die in the water. The dead leaves will introduce ammonia into the water in its rotting process
Consequently, the rotting bamboo will foul the water, making it unclean for your fish.
The fact is that lucky bamboo is not an aquatic plant and propagating it in the aquarium might be challenging.
Submerging the leaves and stalk of this bamboo in an aquarium can cause it the plant to die and rot. This rot will trigger the ammonia level of your aquarium to spike, which is usually not suitable for your fish.
Real Bamboo Vs Lucky Bamboo In Aquariums With Fish
Although real bamboo looks so much like lucky bamboo, they are quite different. And one of their significant differences is their compatibility and ability to thrive in an aquarium with fish.
While putting actual bamboo in an aquarium with fish is a total mistake that can be disastrous, lucky bamboo is still a little bit suitable for aquariums. Submerging real bamboo in aquarium water can trigger it to start rotting immediately. Real bamboo releases a high level of ammonia into the water in its rotting process.
Lucky bamboo, on the other hand, can still last long enough in tanks of adequately submerged under the right conditions. Some say it is best to keep the lucky bamboo fully submerged in water, but others argued that it is better to leave the leaves of the plant slightly above water.
It is better to leave the leaves of the plant slightly raised above the water. This is because fully submerging the plant in water can slow down the growth of the plant, and it can lead to it dying off. Similarly, the leaves of real bamboo are more prone to getting rot than the stem. If fully submerged, the leaves can start rotting in no time, and it can cause the whole plant to die off eventually.
How Can You Grow Lucky Bamboo In Aquarium
It is best to consider the compatibility of lucky bamboo with your aquarium and aquarium members before introducing it. Likewise, you should be ready to take all precautionary measures before exposing your aquarium members to a lucky bamboo plant. These measures will avert the risk of exposing you aquarium members to the unforeseen disaster that can result from the introduction of the plant.
Just like most aquarium plants, you can grow your lucky bamboo in a freshwater aquarium. However, you must ensure that the water is free of contamination and toxic matters. You can cultivate lucky bamboo naturally by cutting the stem and immersing them in the water until a new root grows from the stem.
Part of the precautions you must take is to ensure that the water is well aerated and frequent water changes is a good idea. You must by all means possible avert water stagnation to avoid the bamboo from rotting. Also, you should equally ensure proper lighting in the tank.
You should avoid direct sunlight if you want lucky bamboo to thrive well. Direct sunlight can cause the plant to turn yellow, and hence, cause it to rot. You should also note that the use of fertilizer to enhance the growth of lucky bamboo is entirely unnecessary.
Finally, it is better to submerge lucky bamboo in deep water and not too shallow. You should also ensure an adequate supply of carbon dioxide. Nevertheless, the presence of lucky bamboo in your aquarium does not guarantee the fact that carbon dioxide in the tank is converted to useable oxygen for your fish.
Some Aquatic Plants That Can Be Beneficial To Aquariums
Aquatic plants are a treasured addition to fish aquariums. Aside from the fact that they provide excellent hiding and resting place for fish, the plants can also help them have a feel of their natural environment. Likewise, they can help in the purification of aquarium water and overall tank clean up. Also, they can help increase the amount of oxygen circulating in the tank.
Numerous aquatic plants can be of beneficial effect to your aquarium. The choice of which plant to use can be largely dependent on; the preference of your aquarium members, ease of maintenance, and specific advantages.
In general, the commonly used aquarium plants include; amazon sword, Java moss, Java fern, Anubias, water lilies, lettuce, seaweeds, water wisteria, cryptocorynes, pygmy sword chain, Dwarf aquarium lily, and so on.
The list of aquarium plants can go on and on, with each plant having their specific features, pros, and cos. It is best to thoroughly consider all available plant options and go for the one that is best preferred by your aquarium members. Likewise, it would be best if you thought to opt for a plant that is easy to propagate, cultivate, and maintain. You can also grow two or more plants in the same aquarium to suit your aquarium style, as long as they are compatible.
Conclusion
Generally speaking, you should thoroughly weigh the pros and cons of any plant you want to add to your aquarium. Likewise, your priority should be plants preferred by your tank members and one that is easy to cultivate, propagate, and maintain.
Lucky bamboo on its own might be the choice of some aquariums. As much as it can give a complicated result, taking all necessary precautions can see it live long enough to achieve your desired purpose. You should, however, prevent the plant from rotting in the tank.
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