How Can I Keep Lucky Bamboo In An Aquarium?

Lucky bamboo in an aquarium

There is no particular reason why Lucky bamboo is called ‘Lucky Bamboo’. Maybe someone out there in history felt strong luck in this bamboo, decided to name it and, the rest is history! I do not know if lucky bamboo is lucky for your aquarium or not. But, if you want, you can find out its historical luck on your own. All the best!

Lucky bamboo is not a real bamboo and has akin characteristics of an aquatic plant so it is easier to keep them in the aquarium. All you have to do is follow the simple safety procedures as you would do for any other plants. Starting from washing the lucky bamboo to propagation, waxing, and deciding whether to submerge them partially or fully, this plant is quite tricky but easy for even beginners to keep.

When asked earlier, My friend believes Lucky Bamboo is some magical bamboo out there that will pray for your prosperity, health, wealth, and lots of luck on your behalf. She is not wrong with the existing Asian belief. While I believe, lucky bamboo is beyond magical as it soothes my mood every time they are around.

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What Is Lucky Bamboo?

This question takes us back to Chinese history! Lucky bamboo symbolizes fortune and is highly popular during the time of celebration in Asian culture. A Celebration like Christmas, New year’s eve, New year, and birthday involve gifting lucky bamboo to each other.

Similarly, lucky bamboo is blessed with being able to live in both soil and water. For this reason, this bamboo will easily adapt to your aquarium environment. Finally, your tank can be their permanent home and for your fish, they will enjoy the astounding underwater tank forest.

Before you keep Lucky Bamboo in your aquarium, you must know what kind of plant it is! Generally, lucky bamboo is known to people for its good only. Be it the luck, blessing, or the fortune this bamboo brings along.

Admittedly, you will be surprised by the animated look this bamboo will give to your tank! However, the small leaves and thin branches are the reason why this bamboo must be in your tank.

Besides, Just like a normal (true) bamboo, a new lucky bamboo can be created by cutting the stem. Meaning, lucky Bamboo can be multiplied in number by cutting just above their eye. Whenever you feel you want more of these bamboos, you can always create a new one. And, you can do the cutting once or twice a year.

The most amazing part is, you don’t need to babysit your bamboo. Little is enough, They do not need extra care like your fish, easy peasy!

Quick Overview About Lucky Bamboo

Common Name Lucky Bamboo/Dracaena braunii
Genus Dracaena sanderiana
Species D. sanderiana
Origin/Habitat Central Africa
Class Plantae
Nature An indoor plant or an aquarium plant
Color Solid green
Size This depends on the size of your tank but 2 ft will be reasonable for your aquarium
Lifespan 1 to 2 years and sometimes even 3 years (in rare cases)
Popularity Popular in Asian culture specifically in Chinese culture

Lucky Bamboo VS True Bamboo

A year back, I thought Lucky Bamboo and True Bamboo were just the same plants. I could not spot a difference. And, they looked physically the same for a normal eye.

To spot difference beforehand or after hand, I have enlisted some differences below:

The difference based on Lucky Bamboo True Bamboo
Nature Lucky Bamboo is a type of indoor plant that has adapted to survive in both soil and water. So, it will fit perfectly in your tank. True Bamboo is a terrestrial plant. Hence, this Bamboo will happily thrive in the soil for years.
Aquarium Friendly Lucky Bamboo is known for soaking up nitrates and clearing the water. True Bamboo will rot and excrete toxins that will kill your fish when placed in an aquarium.
Color Lucky Bamboo normally appears in a solid green color. True Bamboo is normally brown, yellow, black, and green.
Growth Rate Lucky Bamboo does not grow much, also the reason why the plant is known as a slow grower. This plant is known to show visible change every six weeks.

 

True Bamboo is known as the fastest-growing plant. There is a saying these bamboo grow an inch every next 40 minutes.

How Can I Keep Lucky Bamboo In An Aquarium?

I gave some thought to this. Surely, there are many ideas on how we can keep lucky bamboo in an aquarium, but this is my way, my step on how you can keep them without disturbing the surrounding. Be it you, your fish, or the water in the tank.

Step 1: Wash Your Lucky Bamboo

After you get your hands on lucky bamboo, the first thing you have to do is give it a quick rinse from leaf to root.

I recommend you to go for Greenpro Lucky Bamboo. This one will make your task easier.

Just wash them like you normally wash your plants to get rid of pesticides or any other contaminants the plant might carry.

However, if you are worried about hurting the plant, leaf, or anything like that you can also use a moist towel to clean around.

Step 2: Propagate The Leaves Of Lucky Bamboo

You need to propagate when you feel your lucky bamboo is too tall for your aquarium. It is only necessary if the sprouts are growing too tall and if there is the presence of dying leaves.

Similarly, you have to propagate the leaves if you feel the leaves are too long. You can also trim off the leaves as it will be much better using a small pair of gardening shears. You can also use a kitchen knife if you do not have one.

Take your cutter out and target between the two seams ( we call it a note). Our target is wanting to chop the note about half an inch up as straight as we can. And, it is done.

Remember, lucky bamboo won’t produce new bamboo! Instead, the original plant will keep on growing.

Step 3: Seal Your Lucky Bamboo With Melted Candle

After Propagating, we need to seal it so the cut-end won’t dry out, won’t rot. And, the bamboo can have time to grip making new growth come out.

All you need to do waxing is to melt the candle onto a dish, stick the end of the stalk in(dip it in the wax) and that’s sealed. You can tidy up a little bit.

You will hear it bubble right after you dip it in the melted candle and basically what’s happening is, it is starting to cook the top of your lucky bamboo. This won’t hurt your bamboo in any way or damage your plant. In fact, this will help in the sealing process.

Similarly, if you can find a green candle that is the same color as bamboo, that will be much better and transparent.

Step 4: Keep The Leaves Of Lucky Bamboo Above The Water Line

Normally, people debate on the idea of whether they should immerse the lucky bamboo or submerge them.

When I was new to the aquarium plant world, I submerged lucky bamboo at first. Later, almost after 4 weeks, the leaves showed a sign of deterioration, slight discoloration, and the plants failed to thrive.

After then, I removed the submerged plant and replaced them with new immersed lucky bamboo. Subsequently, after 60 days ( that is 2 months later), there was no discoloration, neither deterioration, and the plants grew an inch or more. Above all, the plant looked healthy and green.

Therefore, I suggest you immerse your lucky bamboo and leave the leaves above the waterline.

Step 5: Goal Achieved

Finally, your lucky bamboo is aquarium ready!

Why Should I Keep Lucky Bamboo In My Aquarium?

First and foremost, lucky bamboo in your tank will brighten your mood, your fish mood, and your room mood, so why not?

However, I can give you a long list of ‘why you should keep lucky bamboo in an aquarium’ but it will be boring so, I will cut them real short down below:

Lucky Bamboo Are Not Expensive

Unlike other indoor plants, lucky bamboo will save a huge portion of your savings. You do not have to plan a whole saving routine to buy this bamboo. Sacrifice your burger for a day and enjoy this green beauty in your aquarium, how about that?

Care Level For Lucky Bamboo Is Easy!

How much care is needed? How well do you have to take care of lucky bamboo? Well, lucky Bamboo almost grows on its own. You do not have to feed them like your fish daily.

Sometimes due to light or maybe temperature adjustment, your Lucky Bamboo might turn into yellow or black color. Discoloration in leaves may not harm your fish directly but, through water, it can slowly spread.

Lucky Bamboo Brings Luck!

For more than a century, the Asian population, especially Chinese people, believed that the lucky bamboo brings luck alongside. So, why not shifting all the luck and good wishes into your aquarium, right? Having said that, just for luck do not crowd your tank with only this bamboo. This will not be pleasing!

I have also written an article on Advantages of Keeping Fish Tank at Home | Health Benefit | Vastu Shastra

Lucky Bamboo Acts As A Natural Filter

This is my absolute favorite part! Lucky bamboo acts as a natural filter! What this bamboo does amazingly is, it will absorb the toxicity in water and feeds on it for its growth. This is a bonus if you are worried about water quality.

Just so you know, it also absorbs the ammonia and nitrite created by fish wastages in the tank.

Here are few articles that you might like to read:

  1. How To Lower Ammonia In An Aquarium? Cause And Effect Of Increased Ammonia
  2. How To Lower Nitrite In An Aquarium? Cause And Effect Of Increased Nitrite

All in all, this lucky bamboo gives complete assurance of your fish breathing environment.

Lucky Bamboo Are Fish Friendly

As much as I love lucky bamboo, my fish love them too. Watching them play hide and seek in and out is so adorable. Similarly, the shape and size of the bamboo give shelter to your fish. You will see your fish more frequently swimming or floating around and sometimes biting the stem too.

Note: Your fish love natural plants and lucky bamboo can be a great alternative.

Few Plants That Goes Along Lucky Bamboo

As said earlier, Lucky bamboo acts as a multi-tasker but, still lucky bamboo alone is not enough to handle the pressure. Every being requires a shoulder to lean on to complete their task. For the forest look that you want to give your aquarium, I suggest you add more aquatic plants that are non-toxic and share a few characters of this bamboo.

Among the greens, I recommend Rotala Indica Green and Java Fern Leaves. However, I have seen this common mistake of planting Java fern in the substrate. But, Java fern will survive only 2-3 weeks down in the substrate. Slowly, this java fern will start turning dark in color and will eventually die. So, understand that not every plant fits in the substrate.

Other than that, some other aquatic plants that go along with lucky bamboo are listed below:

  • Green Cabomba
  • Hygrophila Araguaia
  • Hygrophila polysperma (Dwarf Hygrophila)
  • Cryptocoryne wendtii ‘Green’
  • Heteranthera zosterifolia (Stargrass)
  • Cryptocoryne wendtii ‘Brown’

What Fish Can Live With Lucky Bamboo?

Almost every fish goes along with lucky bamboo! However, burrowing fish does not fall under this ‘goes along’ category.

Nevertheless, here are my top 5 favorite fish that goes along lucky bamboo:

  • Goldfish
  • Cichlids
  • Betta
  • Blood Parrot and
  • Clown Loaches

Are My Fish Safe With Lucky Bamboo?

With the ability to clean the air around, and absorbing the carbon dioxide, lucky bamboo is only creating something beautiful. A warm and homely environment for your fish. So YES! Your fish are perfectly safe with the lucky bamboo.

Is There Any Risk Keeping Lucky Bamboo In My Aquarium?

No, having lucky bamboo in your aquarium has no risk. Instead, there is the benefit that too uncountable!

There might be a risk if the plant goes unhealthy and is not removed from the tank immediately!

Your tank will get a new appearance, fish will get a new environment and the presence of lucky bamboo will prevent from having other risks.

How Do I Maintain Lucky Bamboo In My Aquarium?

I change the water every 2-3 weeks, clean the filter, check their leaves, and stem. As water plays an important role, Lucky bamboo needs to stay in germ-free water.

However, direct sunlight is harmful to Lucky bamboo. But, indirect sunlight is needed. So shade of light or the LED light will keep your aquarium bright and green.

How To Revive The Dying Lucky Bamboo?

Whenever my Lucky bamboo starts to rot or decay, this is what I do! My mother taught me this process step by step. After knowing, this has been my procedure since then.

Step 1: When your lucky bamboo is dying you will see the light yellow or dark brown leaves. Your stem will partially rot. Even though it is heartbreaking, it is curable. So, first thing first, separate your dying bamboo from good bamboo by cutting them exactly in shape and length.

Place your good bamboo in a clean separate pot or container. Then, you can use the rotting bamboo as a fertilizer for your other terrestrial plant.

Step 2: Similarly, mix an aloe Vera gel with a spoon of rooting hormone powder. The paste will be thick as honey with a bit of natural smell.

Step 3: This is the game-changer part! Mix the former mixture with filtered water. And you will see a slight white color in your water but seem natural.

Step 4: Finally, place your good bamboo in the water you just made. And, watch your lucky bamboo grow all healthy and happy.

Follow the above step and revive all the dying bamboo by yourself.

How To Tell If Your Lucky Bamboo Is Dead?

How to tell if your lucky bamboo has died or is about to die? I mean, many times this will be pretty obvious. But, if you are a newcomer, knowing all of these might be difficult.

Normally, lucky bamboo will not die easily in water. Why? because this plant has to dry first to die and the water in the aquarium will help them to lock the moisture inside.

I suggest you check the root right after you check their leaf and stem. If there is a white spot in the root, your plant is alive. If not, I am sorry.

Things To Majorly Consider While Keeping Lucky Bamboo In An Aquarium

There are a few of the things you need to majorly consider while keeping lucky bamboo in your fish tank. I have jotted down some of the consideration below:

Temperature Adjustment Inside An Aquarium

Lucky Bamboo is not a cold-loving plant. Your normal household temperature is enough. So, make sure the temperature roams around 60–90°F (18–35°C).

Lightning Adjustment Inside And Outside Of  Your Fish  Tank

Summing up, Lucky Bamboo is not a fan of sunlight, not even in the winter.

Keeping that in mind, corner covering window light, indirect sunlight, and basking light are perfectly perfect for housing your fish with lucky bamboo.

My personal favorite is a 12-watt blue LED in the basking area that does not emit strong light for my 50-gallon tank and gives absolute undersea energy. I am totally in love with what I have done to my tank.

Wax Your Lucky Bamboo

What does waxing your lucky bamboo mean?

What happens is while giving lucky bamboo a shape or propagating, there will be an open-end cut. The end is readily vulnerable that will catch bacteria or the diseases instantly. Then, the open end starts to rot from the top.

Somehow the open end needs to be closed and for that, the waxing is done!

This is an easy and cheap remedy! You need to search for old candles, melt them in some random plate and seal your top.

Use Clean Water Inside The Tank

Do not use tap water! Chlorinated water is harmful to not only humans but for your fish and your bamboo plant as well. Usage of clean(filtered) water will never bring any problem.

Also, remember to replace water 7-10 days routinely.

FAQs

Is Bamboo Safe For An Aquarium?

First of all, Bamboo is not Lucky bamboo. They are just normal bamboo that keeps on growing every day on the land, are terrestrial and not water friendly.

And, No, Bamboo is not safe for your aquarium. Since bamboo is not an aquatic plant, it will start decaying right after you place it in your tank. The decay will result in spreading ammonia in the water and we have already talked about this. The measurable level of ammonia will kill your fish.

Is It Good To Plant Lucky Bamboo In An Aquarium?

Absolutely yes! If you are a forest fan or some natural green fan, lucky bamboo is a go-to plant. This won’t only give a new appearance to your tank but will act as a filter, reducing the level of ammonia in the water. And, maintain the oxygen level by absorbing carbon dioxide.

Other than that, Lucky bamboo acts as a shelter for the smaller fish who want to hide from the larger fish. And, Lucky bamboo gives a PlayStation for all the fish in your tank.

Can I Plant Lucky Bamboo With Fish In My Tank?

Wash the lucky bamboo deeply if you have purchased them from the grocery store because it might have some chemical in it. Then, for more assurance, put a test with the newly purchased lucky bamboo alone in a separate tank.

After a week, if there is no discoloration, the stem seems healthy and stable then, you can plant them in your fish tank. If not, drop the idea and get lucky bamboo from an organic store or ask your other fish enthusiast friend.

What Fish Can Live With Lucky Bamboo?

Normally, every fish can live with lucky bamboo but also depends on the size of your tank. But, some fish with aggression has a habit of biting and breaking the stem of lucky bamboo which is not healthy for water, for fish, and for you cleaning them. So, it is better to avoid aggressive fish for now.

Also, you can start with the beginner fish (small fish) and then upgrade to bigger and better fish.

Altogether, I have enlisted some specific aquatic animal that goes with your Lucky Bamboo right below:

  • Red-eared slider turtle
  • Blood parrot
  • Tiger barb
  • Clown Loach and
  • Betta

Is Lucky Bamboo Toxic To Fish?

This question is like, can a human survive without drinking water? No! And, Is lucky bamboo toxic to fish? NO!

I would like to believe lucky bamboo is a very unique non-aquatic plant as it can adjust in moist soil and water. If you are getting a real, organic, pesticide-free, and naturally grown lucky bamboo, there is nothing to worry about!

Lucky bamboo only does amazing things for your fish.

However, my experience says many stores sell non-organic bamboo just for their profit. Please stay alert and aware of such fraud.

Does Lucky Bamboo Give Oxygen?

As a green plant, Lucky bamboo is known to be rich in oxygen. The bamboo will clear air from carbon dioxide and release oxygen in the water 24 hours a day.

Having said that, many people like me plant bamboo not only in the aquarium but in the room as well. I recommend you get a few more for your home décor. This will not only enhance the look of your house but will keep you and your loved ones oxygenated.

Planting bamboo in your room is not a bad idea unless the plant won’t reach to direct sunlight.

Here is an article on How To Maintain The Oxygen Level In Aquarium?

Does Lucky Bamboo Completely Remove Nitrates?

I will not say lucky bamboo completely removes nitrate from the water. That would be a lie and an impossible task for just one plant. However, the bamboo does reduce the level of nitrate in your aquarium. Maybe not measurably but, you will notice the reduction.

You might like to read an article on How To Lower Nitrate In An Aquarium? Cause And Effect Of Increased Nitrate

Conclusion

To conclude, lucky bamboo has been my favorite décor and savior for my aquarium since last year. My mother introduced the new baby lucky bamboo and I never had to look back!

Finally, I would recommend you to form your own opinion by having them in your own tank.

Recommended Articles:

  1. Most Common Beginner Aquarium Mistakes When Setting Up New Tank
  2. 9 Low Light Aquarium Plants for Beginners | Benefits of Aquarium Plants
  3. Aquarium Decorations: What To and What Not To Add – Beginners Guide

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