Lava Rock

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It is the best thing in the world. I have had Lava Rock in my tanks for 5 years and will never put anything else in. We have lava beds around here and my wife and I make yearly trips. The rock is very porous and with time it gets filled with good bateria and becomes "live rock." Provides great filtration and it stacks really well. Many get concerned about the sharp edges, but the fish don't seem to have any problems with the rock.

If you get the chance to get some do it. Look for the following qualities, is it the black porous kind. Some try and pass off red man made stuff as lava rock. Is it heavy enough to sink and stay put on the bottom of the tank, but not so heavy that it is a pain to remove it if necessary. How big are the holes in the rock? The more holes, the newer the Lava rock. Older rock will be smoother, with less surface holes, and will be grayer looking.

Hope this helps.
 
teguc1;1028986; said:
It is the best thing in the world. I have had Lava Rock in my tanks for 5 years and will never put anything else in. We have lava beds around here and my wife and I make yearly trips. The rock is very porous and with time it gets filled with good bateria and becomes "live rock." Provides great filtration and it stacks really well. Many get concerned about the sharp edges, but the fish don't seem to have any problems with the rock.

If you get the chance to get some do it. Look for the following qualities, is it the black porous kind. Some try and pass off red man made stuff as lava rock. Is it heavy enough to sink and stay put on the bottom of the tank, but not so heavy that it is a pain to remove it if necessary. How big are the holes in the rock? The more holes, the newer the Lava rock. Older rock will be smoother, with less surface holes, and will be grayer looking.

Hope this helps.

Hey, I noticed you are in Oregon. I take trips to Roseburg on occasion to my parents when I'm on vacation. Is the area you are talking about near The Three Sisters? I'm up in Wenatchee, WA, and usually drive through Eugene on I-5 down to Roseburg.
 
large ones for the tank or smaller ones for a sump?
the smaller ones you can get at like home depot for like $20 for like a 20#b bag. it's in the lawn/garden section.
 
Guess I'm lucky. I live right by a quarry. Lava rock, black or red, runs $0.20 per lb. I actually picked up some for a new filter; came out to $1.20. BEAT THAT
 
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