lava rock

[festerfish]

hay i herd that lave rock can be used as a good sub for live rock i went camping and got a few to put in my puffer brackish tank, my puffer is still small so i dont have the high enough SG. i want to put it in there anyway becase i allso herd that lave rock lowers nitrates and it looks cool. but what would it do to my water chem?
thanks

 

[SalmonAfrica]

Lava rock should be inert, therefore having little effect on your water chemistry. It'll also act as a substrate for bacteria which will help keep your nitrates down, although I'm not sure if it is anywhere near as effective as live rock.

 

[bromie88]

most people dont recomend using lava rock for of LR. i think its because it can contain copper and other metals, which can be harmful to corals inverts and scaleless fish, like rays, eels, triggers, and puffers.

get some base rock (dead Live Rock) if you want the LR look. its well cheaper, and will become live in time. you dont need porus rock in brackish though, any old rock will do. i had slate, granite ect.