[Trickster 75]

I have a few pieces of bamboo I picked up to make walking sticks. I was thinking about cutting some to create hiding places in my tank. Is it safe to use?

 

[Little Soprano]

I was wondering the same thing too. Beat me to making a topic about it!

 

[lochaber]

I'm pretty sure I had seen a tank scape pictured in a book that used bamboo.

Not that that really means anything, people can get all kinds of silly stuff printed in books...

I'd imagine as long as you let it weather/soak a bit, it shouldn't be much different then most other types of wood.

Probably have to punch through the inside of the segments, or possibly even fill them with sand to get it to sink.

 

[hydrophyte]

Bamboo culms will probably start to rot underwater pretty quick.

 

[Trickster 75]

I dint think about them rotting. I was worried about being toxic in some way.

Not sure what fish I will get when I set up my new tank. Was thinking some Kulhi Loaches and the bamboo would make a nice hiding place.

 

[Diana]

Bamboo is not toxic.
I have heard of treating it with something that seals it, don't remember what. Some sort of clear sealer.

I think Plecos will eat it, so I would not treat it. (especially the wood eating ones)

Try it, see how long it lasts.
Yes, you will probably have to drill holes or something to let the air out of each section if you use longer pieces. Make sure no fish can get stuck in there.

 

[Trickster 75]

I was going to cut it into short sections so it would be hollow and putting it under some rocks. I have given some thought about fish getting stuck.

 

[lamiskool]

As others have stated bamboo is fine for fish tank and wont be toxic, but you will eventually have to replace them though as they dont last as long as other driftwood

 

[wicca27]

depends on if its bamboo or cain. bamboo is hollow cain is solid and will break down pretty fast in the tank. i use bamboo for pleco breeding caves. i say just boil it and it will kill any nasties on it. i have some bamboo i have had in a tank 3 years and its still pretty good. yes it is starting to break down but again its been 3 years in water. even my drift wood in my 55 started to break down some in 3 years

 

[wicca27]

I'd imagine as long as you let it weather/soak a bit, it shouldn't be much different then most other types of wood.
.

bamboo when water logged will sink just like any drift wood with out holes in it. i even put green bamboo in my shrimp tanks as a test and while being green grew the white bacteria most new drift wood does in a tank it sank faster and lasted just as long as aged bamboo. if its safe for shrimp its prob safe for fish

 

[wicca27]

I'd imagine as long as you let it weather/soak a bit, it shouldn't be much different then most other types of wood.
.

bamboo when water logged will sink just like any drift wood with out holes in it. i even put green bamboo in my shrimp tanks as a test and while being green grew the white bacteria most new drift wood does in a tank it sank faster and lasted just as long as aged bamboo. if its safe for shrimp its prob safe for fish


im not talking lucky bamboo im talking true bamboo. lucky bamboo is a cain and will rot in water