Lava Rocks/Landscape Rocks

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Smok3o3

Gambusia
MFK Member
Feb 11, 2010
580
1
16
Colorado
Does anyone know if these types of rocks would be safe to put into an aquarium? My brother just bought a tank and it came with some nice red lava looking rocks. But before I think about putting them in are they safe?
 
Yes, its fine. I previously used large 'chunks' of Lava Rock that I bought online from Germany and shipped to the UK. (Approx 10 inches).
I carefully balanced a group of these together about 3 high to create a curved wall in my 225 Gallon setup. Im sorry I dont have a photo to show you, the tank is no longer setup like this. No due to the Lava rock I might add. It was due to a house move.

I found my plecs would not go near it, too rough and sharp on their belly. but other fish would hide behind the wall etc.

Ive also heard it good for creating an anaerobic area within the lava rock that helps convert nitrates etc., whilst aerobic bacteria coat the outer layers of the lava rock helping to convert ammonia, nitrites.
Java moss etc sticks well and looks the part and can be useful to quickly aquascape a tank etc.

Hope this helps.
 
dan8310x;4271833; said:
Yes, its fine. I previously used large 'chunks' of Lava Rock that I bought online from Germany and shipped to the UK. (Approx 10 inches).
I carefully balanced a group of these together about 3 high to create a curved wall in my 225 Gallon setup. Im sorry I dont have a photo to show you, the tank is no longer setup like this. No due to the Lava rock I might add. It was due to a house move.

I found my plecs would not go near it, too rough and sharp on their belly. but other fish would hide behind the wall etc.

Ive also heard it good for creating an anaerobic area within the lava rock that helps convert nitrates etc., whilst aerobic bacteria coat the outer layers of the lava rock helping to convert ammonia, nitrites.
Java moss etc sticks well and looks the part and can be useful to quickly aquascape a tank etc.

Hope this helps.
Thanks for the info thanks a lot!

The tank that my brother just got came with these large lava rocks and the guy he got it it from was talking about how he had bad luck with fish and eveytime his fish would grow to a big size one day it stops eating and dies so thats one big reason why Im asking if lava rocks were safe..
 
Safe, just clean it like anything else you put into your tank. However, I don't recommend it due to the sharp edges the rocks have.
 
Depends on the fish. Not safe for catfish that could injure their skin and barbels, but fine for typical community fish. I am using 2" gravel from Lowe's as substrate in my guppy fry tank. It's actually the only bio going on in there, with a filter for mechanical and movement. I use it in my HOB filters a lot, too. It may not be the absolute best media but it does a good job.
 
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