You should add water as needed and completely change your water weekly. If you want to add bamboo you would have to get a little cup or something to make them stand up unless you just get the glass fishtanks stones (mermaid tears) to prop them up with. You can just trim the roots on the bamboo if they start getting unruly they can take it. You don't need to add anything to the water but using distilled or filtered water is best.

The cord comes out the top.