lava rock

bcctevans · #1 04/19/2005, 04:45 PM

has anyone ever put lava rock in their tank i heard that you could use it so i have it in my tank

Entropy · #2 04/19/2005, 04:58 PM

I have seen it in several FW tanks, but never in a reef tank. Hawaii has plenty of it though, so I would imagine it would be fine. Any particular reason you are using it?

christinaevans · #3 04/19/2005, 05:11 PM

(i am bcctevans just so you know) i am using it because me and my husband really liked the way that it looked and it is doing really good in there so far it has alot of life on it and it looks really good in there with the regular live rock i have had a few people tell me that i am crazy though becausse they have never heard of using it

christinaevans · #4 04/19/2005, 05:13 PM

the color difference between the regular live rock and the lava looks exceptionally good mixed together

Entropy · #5 04/19/2005, 05:24 PM

I don't see any problems. I know it is generally really porous. Not sure if coralline will grow on it or not though.

Nuhtty · #6 04/19/2005, 07:09 PM

I would avoid Tufa rock. Too much phos in it and some has iron in it.

When I put it in my tank it was a hair algae magnet.

Bad idea, IMO

bertoni · #7 04/19/2005, 07:58 PM

The general issue with lava rock is that it might leach various minerals into the water. I wouldn't risk it, but it's been done before.

Bonaqua · #8 05/01/2005, 05:31 PM

Nuhtty, what's phos???
Phosphates??

Bonaqua · #9 05/01/2005, 05:32 PM

I talked to some experinced reefers, ant they all told me that Tufa is ok for a base rock.

Nuhtty · #10 05/01/2005, 06:15 PM

Phosphates.

I have used it in the past and it skyrocketed my phosphates.

If you want to use it, then feel free, but realize you are taking a risk.

Yukon · #11 05/01/2005, 07:55 PM

I agree with Nuhtty - I've used tufa through the years mixed with real live rock. After a few months, it looks, and is "live", and a whole lot cheaper. But you have to put up with the algae blooms it causes for the first couple months. LOL! "Hair algae magnet" describes it perfect. It DOES go away though. Rinse it really well in hot water first.

Bonaqua · #12 05/01/2005, 08:01 PM

What about if I boil it first?

Yukon · #13 05/01/2005, 08:06 PM

Naw, I don't think you can boil away phosphates. I do rinse it very well first though. Besides - if ya do that, it means buying another pan for your hot dogs.