Using Lava Rock Safe?

[Rick]

I used to have Sal****er Aquariums when I was a teenager some 30 years
ago and there has been new improvements within the industry- Sump
Pumps-Protein skimmers, ect I dont even remember LFS selling live
rock. I came from the OLD SILENT GIANT DAYS and most everyone used
under groung filters. (if anyone can remember those days)

ANYWAY....
I used to put Red Lava Rock inside my tanks because of the beauty they
used to have under the lighting. I dont see alot of LFS selling this
anymore but I know of were I can purchase. Is using Lava rock no
longer safe for some reason?
There are not alot of minerals in them so I belive they are safe.

If not-Why?


ALSO,

There is a type of red coral I would also like to use but I dont
remember what it is called and I can find it anyware. It grows like
the shape of a brain when it is small and very pores with a dark
marron color-- does anyone know what it is called?

[Dragon Slayer]

some lava is ok, some isn't. it's due to some will have metals trapped in
it that will leach into the water, after all its just molten earth that has
been cooled.

I have quite a few huge lava rocks in my predator tank but I've had them in
tanks for 25+ yrs now. they never caused any problems but back in the days
I didn't keep sensitive inverts, so they might just not have shown up in the
system when they leached as a problem.

I'd say your chances are 50/50 with its use.

I've never used the small type like you can get to landscape with, just the
large ones. I like you think the lava rock has a very nice look to it, and
I actually take mine out ever so often to remove any coralline from it so it
keeps its deep coloration. here are a few pics I have posted over on RC
you can take a look at that show the rock in the tank with my triggers.


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/29872predators.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/527/29872Niger_Trigger2.jpg


kc


"Rick" > wrote in message
om...
> I used to have Sal****er Aquariums when I was a teenager some 30 years
> ago and there has been new improvements within the industry- Sump
> Pumps-Protein skimmers, ect I dont even remember LFS selling live
> rock. I came from the OLD SILENT GIANT DAYS and most everyone used
> under groung filters. (if anyone can remember those days)
>
> ANYWAY....
> I used to put Red Lava Rock inside my tanks because of the beauty they
> used to have under the lighting. I dont see alot of LFS selling this
> anymore but I know of were I can purchase. Is using Lava rock no
> longer safe for some reason?
> There are not alot of minerals in them so I belive they are safe.
>
> If not-Why?
>
>
> ALSO,
>
> There is a type of red coral I would also like to use but I dont
> remember what it is called and I can find it anyware. It grows like
> the shape of a brain when it is small and very pores with a dark
> marron color-- does anyone know what it is called?

[Rick]

Thanks for your reply. The picture of the trigger fish in front of
the Lava rock sure show the vibrant blue colors of the fish. very
good close up picture.

What camera did you take this picture with? I use to have a Nikonous
V for under water photography, I think yours must have been taken
with a digital camers.

[Dragon Slayer]

it was taken with a Nikon 995

kc

"Rick" > wrote in message
om...
> Thanks for your reply. The picture of the trigger fish in front of
> the Lava rock sure show the vibrant blue colors of the fish. very
> good close up picture.
>
> What camera did you take this picture with? I use to have a Nikonous
> V for under water photography, I think yours must have been taken
> with a digital camers.

[Ken]

Hey Rick,
Before I upgraded I had a 55 gal tank with and a continous problem
with phosphates. After months of fighting it I narrowed the problem
down to a chunk of lava rock I had in the tank. Once I was able to
remove the lava rock my phosphates dropped down to next to nothing. It
was a nice size chunk of the red lava rock you see in the LFS.

Ken D.


(Rick) wrote in message >...
> I used to have Sal****er Aquariums when I was a teenager some 30 years
> ago and there has been new improvements within the industry- Sump
> Pumps-Protein skimmers, ect I dont even remember LFS selling live
> rock. I came from the OLD SILENT GIANT DAYS and most everyone used
> under groung filters. (if anyone can remember those days)
>
> ANYWAY....
> I used to put Red Lava Rock inside my tanks because of the beauty they
> used to have under the lighting. I dont see alot of LFS selling this
> anymore but I know of were I can purchase. Is using Lava rock no
> longer safe for some reason?
> There are not alot of minerals in them so I belive they are safe.
>
> If not-Why?
>
>
> ALSO,
>
> There is a type of red coral I would also like to use but I dont
> remember what it is called and I can find it anyware. It grows like
> the shape of a brain when it is small and very pores with a dark
> marron color-- does anyone know what it is called?

[Rick]

Thanks for the info Ken,

I decided not to take the risk and not use any lava rock in the tank.
Your right with phosphate being in the lava rock.