Kaiser Aquatics Bacopa Monnieri

🐠 Bacopa monnieri Aquarium Care Guide

🔍 Overview

• Common Names: Brahmi, Water Hyssop

• Placement: Midground or background plant

• Growth Rate: Moderate

• Tank Type: Freshwater

• Behavior: Upright stem plant; grows both submerged and emersed

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💡 Lighting

• Moderate to High Light

  • Enhances compact, lush growth and prevents legginess

  • Low light tolerated but leads to sparse, tall growth

Bonus: High light can help bring out reddish tints in the stem and leaves.

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🧪 Water Parameters

• Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)

• pH Range: 6.5–7.5

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water

• CO₂: Not required, but promotes faster, denser growth

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🌱 Substrate & Fertilization

• Substrate: Nutrient-rich (aqua soil preferred); can also grow in inert substrates like gravel if fertilized

• Fertilization:

  • Liquid Fertilizer: Dosed regularly for best color and growth

  • Root Tabs: Optional, but helpful in low-tech setups

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✂️ Trimming & Propagation

• Trimming: Top frequently to prevent it from overshadowing other plants and to promote bushy growth

• Propagation: Very easy—just snip a healthy stem and replant into substrate

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📐 Tank Placement

• Best for: Midground in larger tanks or background in smaller tanks

• Layout Tip: Plant stems in clusters but spaced apart (~1 inch) for airflow and light access

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🐟 Compatibility

• Fish-Safe: Yes—non-toxic and robust enough for most community tanks

• Shrimp-Safe: Absolutely—shrimp love climbing it and picking off biofilm

• Tank Benefits:

  • Oxygenates water

  • Absorbs excess nutrients, helping to control algae

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⚠️ Common Issues

• Melting or rot: Usually from sudden environmental changes (especially when newly planted)

• Stunted growth: Could be due to lack of nutrients or light

• Leggy stems: Caused by low light—trim and replant tops for denser look

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🌸 Fun Fact

If it grows out of the water line in open-top tanks or shallow setups, Bacopa monnieri may flower with delicate white or blue blooms!