lava rock sump

gquimby1 · 08/08/2016, 09:59 AM

I was wondering if you can substitute lava rock in a reef sump for bio balls? Would it affect anything? I know you can do this for freshwater. I wasn't sure about saltwater.

AlSimmons · 08/08/2016, 10:08 AM

You can, but if biological filtration is what your after you would be much better off going with either live rock or dead rock. The porosity alone just makes them much more efficient at filtering the water than those bio balls or lava rock would be.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

jayball · 08/08/2016, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gquimby1

I was wondering if you can substitute lava rock in a reef sump for bio balls? Would it affect anything? I know you can do this for freshwater. I wasn't sure about saltwater.

No, lava rock will leach a multitude of metals and other elements into your system. There are some that can be used but you will have difficulty determining what ones are safe.

thegrun · 08/08/2016, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayball

No, lava rock will leach a multitude of metals and other elements into your system. There are some that can be used but you will have difficulty determining what ones are safe.

This! Never use lava rock in a saltwater aquarium.

AlSimmons · 08/08/2016, 10:45 AM

What about all the people out there who have used lava rocks in there tanks for years on end and have never had any problems? IMO saying you can't use lava rock is like saying you can't have an emerald crab in your tank or a peppermint shrimp. Lot's of horror stories out there regarding these things, but lot's of success stories too. Also, not all lava rock is the same. Grouping it all together and saying it's bad would not be accurate.

Here's a video I found where lava rocks are being used in the aquarium. I believe the anemone itself is attached to one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugVk...ature=youtu.be

zeemofree · 08/08/2016, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gquimby1

I was wondering if you can substitute lava rock in a reef sump for bio balls? Would it affect anything? I know you can do this for freshwater. I wasn't sure about saltwater.

If you don't know what live rock is I recommend you study a lot more before you screw up

billdogg · 08/08/2016, 10:50 AM

If it is natural lava rock (pumice) then it may be ok. I used a large piece of pumice as the only rock in my 60 cube for all 22 years it was up and running. I chose it because it was easy to carve into a reef type scene with swim throughs and caves. Man-made "lava" rock (the dense orange colored stuff) is not porous at all so will have little positive effect on the biological filtration capacity of the tank, and as mentioned may very well contain heavy metals or other nasty contaminates.

scooter31707 · 08/08/2016, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeemofree

If you don't know what live rock is I recommend you study a lot more before you screw up

I think you may need to read the OP's question again and get an understanding.

Sk8r · 08/08/2016, 01:53 PM

Lava rock is often air-puffed basalt scoria or rhyolite (I think that's the red one) which have metals in them you don't want.

Pumice, (easy to distinguish because it's light as styrofoam) is volcanic glass puffed up by air, similar to obsidian, which is the plain form. I wouldn't expect either pumice or obsidian to be all that reactive in water. But I are not a geologist!

zeemofree · 08/08/2016, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter31707

I think you may need to read the OP's question again and get an understanding.

Oops my bad

08/08/2016, 09:59 AM	#1
gquimby1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 43	lava rock sump I was wondering if you can substitute lava rock in a reef sump for bio balls? Would it affect anything? I know you can do this for freshwater. I wasn't sure about saltwater.

08/08/2016, 10:45 AM	#5
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	What about all the people out there who have used lava rocks in there tanks for years on end and have never had any problems? IMO saying you can't use lava rock is like saying you can't have an emerald crab in your tank or a peppermint shrimp. Lot's of horror stories out there regarding these things, but lot's of success stories too. Also, not all lava rock is the same. Grouping it all together and saying it's bad would not be accurate. Here's a video I found where lava rocks are being used in the aquarium. I believe the anemone itself is attached to one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugVk...ature=youtu.be Last edited by AlSimmons; 08/08/2016 at 10:52 AM.

08/08/2016, 10:50 AM	#7
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	If it is natural lava rock (pumice) then it may be ok. I used a large piece of pumice as the only rock in my 60 cube for all 22 years it was up and running. I chose it because it was easy to carve into a reef type scene with swim throughs and caves. Man-made "lava" rock (the dense orange colored stuff) is not porous at all so will have little positive effect on the biological filtration capacity of the tank, and as mentioned may very well contain heavy metals or other nasty contaminates. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

08/08/2016, 01:53 PM	#9
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Lava rock is often air-puffed basalt scoria or rhyolite (I think that's the red one) which have metals in them you don't want. Pumice, (easy to distinguish because it's light as styrofoam) is volcanic glass puffed up by air, similar to obsidian, which is the plain form. I wouldn't expect either pumice or obsidian to be all that reactive in water. But I are not a geologist! __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/08/2016, 10:08 AM	#2
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	You can, but if biological filtration is what your after you would be much better off going with either live rock or dead rock. The porosity alone just makes them much more efficient at filtering the water than those bio balls or lava rock would be. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php