Bamboo and Clowns?

[LoachOrgy]

I had a bamboo plant in the tank with my clowns for about 2 years without any problems. this bamboo plant was just two stems.

Recently I bought a big bamboo plant that is in a pot. This plant probably has about 20 stems and makes a circular type pattern held together by metal. rings and a few twisty ties. The plant is not in soil but in rocks. I often see bamboo plants at lfs just like this one. Its the same type I had in my tank for two years.

Does anyone think this is safe to place in the tank?

I am a bit concerned because I do not know if this plant was fertilized and I am not sure if the metal cage holding it together is stainless steel. I can replace all twisty ties with plastic connections and most likely hold this thing together without the metal cage.

Any advice would help.

I don't have to place this in the tank, it just appears to be something the loaches would love to death.

[clownloachfan]

yeah, i would remove the metal cage also. When you put the bamboo in your aquarium, make sure the actual leaves are above water, otherwise the plants will die.

[Mark in Vancouver]

If you can make sure it's very clean, I don't see why not. I imagine that these plants are fertilized at their source, but that's hard to say. Insecticide is another issue to consider. As for the ties, I would definitely replace them with plastic just to be safe.

[LoachOrgy]

yeah, i would remove the metal cage also. When you put the bamboo in your aquarium, make sure the actual leaves are above water, otherwise the plants will die.

i have had a bamboo plant with all leaves submerged for 2 years and its still growing strong. the leaves won't die underwater!