In this blog we will discuss betta fish with bamboo plants in the same tank.This blog will give you an idea regarding the benefits of keeping bamboo plants in bettas tanks and will help betta keepers to know how to use bamboo plants in bettas tank.
Overview
In this blog
- Are bamboo plants safe for betta fish tanks?
- What are the best water conditions for growing bamboo plants?
- How to add lucky bamboo in bettas aquarium?
- Light requirements for lucky bamboo and betta
- Can we keep bettas & bamboo together in the same aquarium?
- Does bamboo remove nitrates from a bettas tank?
- Can bamboo plants clean the aquarium water?
- Can lucky bamboo keep the betta fish aquarium oxygenated?
- How to care for your bamboo plants in aquarium conditions?
- Do bamboo plants need substrate?
- Does bamboo poison betta fish tanks?
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
- Reference
Are bamboo plants safe for betta fish tanks?
Betta fish are native to Asia,where they live in the shallow water of marshes, ponds, or slow-moving streams with heavy vegetation.
They live in areas with a lot of floating and overhanged plants. It is very important to replicate the same environment in their artificial environment to keep them healthy.
Bamboo plant as a tank plant
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Clade | Tracheophytes |
| Clade | Angiosperms |
| Clade | Monocots |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily | Nolinoideae |
| Genus | Dracaena |
| Species | sanderiana |
Dracaena sanderiana, also known as lucky bamboo are underwater plants, is safe for your betta tank.
Lucky Bamboo can thrive as part of your aquarium’s ecosystem when it is partially or completely submerged.
Lucky bamboo is not a true aquatic plant,but its structure and growth pattern allow it to survive in an aquarium.
A perennial herb to a height of 100 cm (39 in) with slightly twisted gray-green leaves that can reach a length of 23 cm (9 in).
The stem is succulent,different from bamboo.It needs a bright,airy area.It tolerates dry air and does not require constant spraying.A very hardy plant, it is quite difficult to destroy it.
What are the best water conditions for growing bamboo plants?
Lucky bamboo grows in soil and water.If you are growing plants in water, filtered or distilled water is the best option to keep your bamboo roots moist and healthy.
The water level in bettas tank should be high enough to cover the roots.Bamboo is sensitive to chlorine and fluoride in tap water, so use filtered water, spring water, or rain water.
You can use tap water if you leave it uncovered for 24 hours to dissolve the chemicals.
How to add lucky bamboo in bettas aquarium?
You can submerge the plants in a deep portrait-style or let the bamboo stalks emerge from the fishbowl. As long as the roots are submerged, lucky bamboo plants should thrive either way.
The recommended way to put lucky bamboo in an aquarium is to bury it in the base at a depth of 3-4 inches.Lucky Bamboo will thrive as long as its roots are submerged in water.
Light requirements for lucky bamboo and betta
Leaving your lucky bamboo in direct light in the sun all day can cause the leaves to burn and look like they are dying.They often appear yellow and can burst if there is too much sun.
Too little bright, indirect light can also affect the growth of the plant. Grow lucky bamboo in low or medium light for best results.
Betta fish like both natural and artificial light in their tank and they need enough light during day time and proper dimness during night time.
Exposing them to direct sunlight can increase algal growth in their aquarium.
Can we keep bettas and bamboo together in the same aquarium?
Bamboo and solid live together.Fish droppings feed the plants, and fish enjoy hiding and playing with natural plants.
Many betta keepers have found that bamboo in aquariums is healthier than bamboo grown in containers.
Plants are best for your bettas as they act as a natural oxygen purifier and can help them to conceal themselves to avoid aggressive tank mates or predators.
They provide good hiding space for your bettas when they feel threatened or stressed.
Does bamboo remove nitrates from a bettas tank?
Lucky bamboo resembles real bamboo and, in fact, is often mistaken for it.Almost all fish can be housed with bamboo in their tanks. Bamboo is also popular among people who know how to grow it as it helps in reducing nitrate levels very efficiently from bettas tanks.
Nitrates in betta tanks should be 10 to 20 ppm.Nitrates are less toxic to fish than nitrites.However,their accumulation often occurs in conjunction with other water quality problems.
Performing regular water changes with low or no nitrates will lower the overall nitrate levels in the aquarium.
If your local tap or well water is high in nitrates, using deionized water or reverse osmosis water can help reduce nitrate levels during water changes.But having bamboo plants in bettas can also do the needful.
Can bamboo plants clean the aquarium water?
Bamboo has phytoremediation properties that allow heavy metals and other pollutants to seep out of water.
Bamboo can metabolize and purify water unless the water is heavily contaminated with toxic substances.
Can lucky bamboo keep the betta fish aquarium oxygenated?
Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet. An astonishing growth of 47.6 inches was recorded in a 24 hour period.
Bamboo is an important factor in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Bamboo groves release 35% more oxygen than comparable groves.It will definitely keep bettas tank well oxygenated.
How to care for your bamboo plants in aquarium conditions?
- A five gallon aquarium is sufficient to support a small group of shoots.
- Large aquariums will allow bamboo to completely submerge the plant or continue its growth beyond the surface of the water.
- In reality, it is so flexible that most aquarists focus on the parameters of fish preference rather than plants.
- To easily monitor these parameters,make sure you have a suitable water quality test kit for your aquarium.
Water parameters of bamboo plants:
- Water temperature: 59°F to 80°F
- ph levels: 6.0 to 6.5
- Water hardness: 0 to 8 dGH (Soft water)
Water parameters for betta fish:
- Temperature: 75°-81°F (23.8°-27.2°C)
- Ammonia and Nitrite: 0 ppm.
- Nitrate: <20 ppm.
- GH: 3-4 dGH (50-66.7 ppm)
- KH: 3-5 dKH (53.6- 89.4 ppm)
- pH: 6.5-7.5.
Do bamboo plants need substrate?
You can grow lucky bamboo with or without substrate.The best option for you will entirely depend on the fish of your tank.Substrate doesn’t really matter in bettas tanks.
Bettas don’t interact with the bottom that much but gravel is generally the most common aquarium substrate and is ideal for all bettas aquariums.
The Spectrastone gravel is a mixture of small river pebbles aimed at giving the tank a natural look and replicates their natural habitat.
Does bamboo poison betta fish tanks?
Lucky Bamboo does not poison the water in bettas tank.Traditional bamboo is known to cause such problems as per some experts, but it’s not true completely.
The main issue is if the bamboo roots suffocate with water and rot, then it will release ammonia that poisons the betta fish tank. However, Lucky Bamboo can be safely grown in bettas tanks.
Summary
- Lucky Bamboo is one of the easiest medium light aquarium plants to grow and maintain. All you need is a few hours of bright indirect light each day and the plant works beautifully.
- Lucky Bamboo draws nitrate from water and uses it as fuel to grow.
- Lucky Bamboo can improve the condition of the entire aquarium.
- Make sure you are not stuffing a bettas tank with tank plants, as they need lots of swimmin space too,to swim around.
- As with most plants, bamboo prefers a regular day/night light cycle.
- Both betta and bamboo don’t require a substrate but loose substrate encourages proper water flow around the roots.
- Both betta and bamboo have almost similar water parameters and can definitely be a great choice for bettas tanks.
- All you need to do is perform regular water changes and use a water testing kit everyday to monitor water quality.
- Bamboo plants oxygenate bettas tanks and keep the tank environment clean.
- It is a myth regarding bamboo plant that it is poisonous to bettas tank.In reality bettas don’t munch on bamboo leaves and if you don’t prune and clean dead leaves on regular basis, then surely it will alter the water chemistry.It is same for all tank plants, not just bamboo.
- Some aquascapers train the bamboo plant to take a specific shape.You may see spirals, zigzags, or a choppy pattern that are more natural.
- Bamboo plants are suitable for most aquariums.Not only does it withstand unruly behavior, but its wide range of growth parameters gives you the flexibility to choose your aquarium companion.
Frequently asked questions
Can we keep bamboo plants in tap water aquariums?
No, you should never add bamboo plants in tap water as they may contain chemicals that can burn the stems.
Do bettas and bamboo plants require the same water temperature?
Ideal temperature for bamboo plants ranges from 15 to 22 °C or 59 to 72 F and ideal temperature for betta fish is 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are bamboo plants toxic to betta fish?
Bettas will never eat this plant and as long as the bamboo is green and healthy, there is no need to worry about toxic pollutants.
Is it possible for lucky bamboo to grow in gravel?
Yes ,the stems of lucky bamboo may be submerged in water and pebbles, gravel, marbles etc.
