i found some red lava rocks and i'm wondering if they would be o k for my fresh water tank i'm thinking about starting some java fern growing on it i am wondering being that its red would it have iron content in it and if so would it be o k for my fish and plants i appreciate any info that any one has on this
red lava rocks
- Thread starter swinneyw
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they work as filter media and housing benebact, so they go great in a sump or canister but as far as substrate goes... i guess it could work, just go through the normal precautions and rinse,bleach,declor,rinse.
Lupin
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- Sep 21, 2006
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- Paul
My concern here is their rough edges which can injure a fish especially as it clashes with another tankmate or dash around which is why I often do not try to suggest lava rocks for decorations. Try smooth river rocks or slates instead.
I've been using red lava rock for about...10 years plus - maybe much longer because I can't recall not using it. I have a huge mess of java fern growing on a cave made out of 3 large hunks of the stuff. Algae and other things grow on lava rock, snails love it, and I have better water quality in tanks where I have established lava rocks with plants growing over it than I do in tanks without just plants and other rocks.
Personally, I think it becomes the FW equivalent of live rock. I always keep it beneath the HOB outflow which keeps water moving over and through the rock.
As for injuries, I don't know that I've ever seen an injury that led me to think - gee, that was caused by the lava rock. My clown pleco cleans it and has no problems...and so have (over the years) - otos, various shrimp and cories who same around and over it cleaning. I've also kept scaleless fish such as kuhli loaches who hung out, crawled over, and around the lava rock with no problems.
YMMV,
Eric
Personally, I think it becomes the FW equivalent of live rock. I always keep it beneath the HOB outflow which keeps water moving over and through the rock.
As for injuries, I don't know that I've ever seen an injury that led me to think - gee, that was caused by the lava rock. My clown pleco cleans it and has no problems...and so have (over the years) - otos, various shrimp and cories who same around and over it cleaning. I've also kept scaleless fish such as kuhli loaches who hung out, crawled over, and around the lava rock with no problems.
YMMV,
Eric
Ive always used lava rock in my tanks for many many years. 10+ like above.
Never had any injuries from it as far as I know and I have had everything from monsters to miniatures and they all seem to enjoy it. seems the smaller fish love to graze on it.
Never had any injuries from it as far as I know and I have had everything from monsters to miniatures and they all seem to enjoy it. seems the smaller fish love to graze on it.
I like it too. Had it for 1 1/2 years and neither tetras nor my SAE's have any problems with it. And yes, Java Fern thinks its great to grow on.
I use it my tanks too and have not noticed any injuries; I have it with tetras, rasboras, rams, catfish, shrimp and an angel (not all in one tank!)... altho I would avoid using it with long finned fish, such as a betta as it may shred fins if they swim too close or thru holes.