Forgive me if this topic has been covered -- I did a search and did not find anything specific to lava rock....though a lot of comments on the topic.
This thread is to discuss advantages / disadvantages of using lava rock as the media for biological filtration.
I have a new canister filter that did not come with adequate bio-media. I will take as a given that the all-too-expensive specialty bio-media is probably superior to lava rock in applied mathmatics....
...but in practicality....is there any reason not to use cheap lava rock in a canister (or similar) filter system rather than running out and buying bio-balls or similar?
And of course the flip side...is there really any reason to buy expensive bio media except where space is highly limited (thus the absolute best efficiency required)?
This thread is to discuss advantages / disadvantages of using lava rock as the media for biological filtration.
I have a new canister filter that did not come with adequate bio-media. I will take as a given that the all-too-expensive specialty bio-media is probably superior to lava rock in applied mathmatics....
...but in practicality....is there any reason not to use cheap lava rock in a canister (or similar) filter system rather than running out and buying bio-balls or similar?
And of course the flip side...is there really any reason to buy expensive bio media except where space is highly limited (thus the absolute best efficiency required)?