Lava Rock

i use the stuff from homedepot, not sure if its man made but works fine what what i need.
 
no, because lavarock for the aquarium is fake
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I just don't think this is correct. Lava rock is a natural material, created by nature. I don't see how or why they would create them or paint them for the aquarium trade; there are a lot of rocks used for aquariums that are all real, harvested from the earth, and I can't see why this would be different.
I took a look online for information about lava rock, and found that it's an extrusive, igneous rock. I put a few links below that I found in case anyone's curious. Incidentally, while searching for 'aquarium' and 'lava rock' I found some types of artificial rock but they were listed as such - there were many, many more posts about real lava rock and I saw nothing about it being man-made or coloured.

Here's a post I found discussing the nature of lava rock:
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200107/msg00428.html

A site explaining 'scoria' or lava rock, with a link to the rockhounds site, which has an animation of how these rocks are formed:
http://www.saltthesandbox.org/rocks/scoriabasalt.htm

This page explains briefly how these types of rock are formed:
http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/sciber00/8th/earth/sciber/rocks2.htm

A Hawaiian site about all the types of lava rock:
http://www.lapietra.edu/scienceweb/web/240/kilaea stuff/hawaiianlavarockspage.html
 
believe whatever you want.

I have read this in MANY different places, so i tend to believe what many different other sources say (all the same thing).

Get a piece of real lava rock, and a piece of manmade lava rock (you can usually find it at ur LFS) and you will notice HUGE differences.

Also, i can even tell mine is painted, since it is kinda "filled" up in the porus holes.
 
what are the differences? are you talking about lava vs. tufa rock? im not sure what the man made one is.
 
This is interesting, and if it's true I'd like to know more. Can you post what your book says, and any websites about it? I can't find anything online, but that doesn't mean the information isn't out there.
The rocks I have are definitely not painted, as I said I've broken larger rocks into pieces and the colour and texture is the same throughout. It's like pumice, only tougher - it's very rough, porous, and if it's knocked against something little bits of rock and dust come off.
blitzen25bm - I think tufa is much the same texture, but it's a creamy white colour, and calcium based. The red lava rock we're talking about is a terra-cotta or burgundy red colour and it doesn't leach calcium into the water, but otherwise they're very similar in appearance.
 
Lavarock

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The lavarock that most people will find in your LFS is real lavarock.
Most likely from the company fellerstone. They do not sell anything but REAL stone. The only thing that isn't natural about is that it is carved to give it all a uniform look.


Now there are places that sell a faux/fake lava rock. But it isn't rock at all. It is an ornament made of resin to look like the lavavrock that you will find in most LFS'

From the Dr. Foster and Smith website

* Aquascape instantly with realistic, hand-painted rock replicas
* Won't affect aquarium water conditions
* Stable, hollow construction gives inhabitants secure hiding spots


Aquascape your aquarium instantly with these realistic lava rock replicas. Durable, resin lava rocks won't degrade or break over time. Plus, you'll never have to worry about these rocks releasing pH-altering minerals, or introducing unwanted living organisms into aquarium water. Stable, hollow construction provides aquarium inhabitants with secure hiding spots. Assorted sizes, and styles to match any décor and preference. Safe for freshwater or marine aquariums.
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The resin one is hollow. Like if you bought a resin castle or skull. This type of fake lava will most likely be found on a shellf with the ornaments. Because that is exactly what it is. A very breakable ornament.

Real lavarock is in the rock section of the store with the pertrified wood, pangotta stone, rainbow rock etc...

The better LFS' will carry the stone as opposed to the resin one. Because the real one is sold by the pound not the piece. More money.
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i know what lava rock is im just trying to figure out what mana made lavarock was.

scott- ive seen that stuff before, the resin ones those are obviously not real rock. is that what the other guy is talking about being man made.
 
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