[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

RE: Lava Rock

Hi Folks,

Some years back I read a book originating in Germany on killifish. It
included a footnote on using lava rock in box filters. I tried it and found
it very satisfactory. American fish keepers have been using gravel in box
filters for a long time. The object of the exercise is to provide a
substrate on which bacteria could grow. Lava rock has more surface area both
internally and externally than gravel. Therefore it just works better.  No
it does not emulate the chemical filtration of carbon but at least it does
not get pulled out and dumped when you change the filter.

Then came the tiny trickle filter by Henri Dabryn (Sp?). It used lava rock
as a filter medium and indeed reports have it that it worked a treat. Those
of us who were already using lava rock in box filters were not at all
surprised neither with its success nor Henri's choice of lava rock. Whether
you use it in a box filter or in a trickle filter it essentially does the
same thing.

I recently read an article about commercial culturing live rock and I was
not at all surprised when I found that some outfits start with lava rock and
just allow it to culture with marine life. Apparently in large enough chunks
it becomes a good substrate for building your own reef. And will function as
a passive biological filter. Well if you think about it many islands in the
oceans are volcanoes, which are of course are made of lava rock.

American technology is currently working on more expensive products which
will do the same job. Sintered glass, and ceramic products abound. The main
stream American pet industry which is profit driven would not appreciate
people running out to Home Depot to buy a dirt cheap filter medium, which
will last forever.  I believe that within the next 5 years we are going to
see more and more lava rock in American aquariums, both fresh and salt
water.  I still boil the lava rock I purchase at Home Depot but that is not
because I am afraid of the rock which has already been fired at thousands of
degrees. But boiling should wash off any contaminants which may have gotten
on the rock after it was collected and crushed.  As the lava rock which is
sold at Home Depot is intended for use in plantings I can assume that no
extraordinary care is given to it to protect it from contamination.

I like rooted plants in my tanks. I plant them in clay pots and use lava
rock as a substrate. It not only anchors the plants and provides good water
and nutrient circulation to the roots it turns the whole affair into a
passive filter as a bonus.

The lava rock trend seems to be irreversible.


Peace,

~RJ~

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-killietalk at aka_org [mailto:owner-killietalk at aka_org]On
Behalf Of Stoecker,Michael,FRANKLIN PARK,NC&C
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2002 10:55 AM
To: 'killietalk at aka_org'
Subject: RE: Lava Rock


Kean Huat,
The red lava rock I obtained locally from a landscape supply yard passed the
acid test.
Full strength muriatic acid did not release coloration into the acid nor did
it fizz/bubble [no carbon dioxide release].
mike

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Kean Huat Yeap [SMTP:keanhuat at yahoo_com]
> Sent:	Thursday, January 03, 2002 9:23 PM
> To:	killietalk at aka_org
> Subject:	Lava Rock
>
> I just bought a big bag of red volcanic rock from
> Lowes. I just want to make sure this is the same as
> the lava rock people are using. I plan to put some
> into my frys tanks and may be use it to replace the
> floss in the corner filters.
>
> I hope it's inert and won't change the water
> parameters.
>
> Kean Huat
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Send your FREE holiday greetings online!
> http://greetings.yahoo.com
> ---------------
> See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
> Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/AKA/Applic.htm
---------------
See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/AKA/Applic.htm


----------------------------------------------------
Sign Up for NetZero Platinum Today
Only $9.95 per month!
http://my.netzero.net/s/signup?r=platinum&refcd=PT97
---------------
See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/AKA/Applic.htm
Follow-Ups: References: