Anyone ever use Lava rock?

[Boonjob]

I am setting up this 26 gal bowfront and planned to make my own rock... but then thought it would be pretty sweet to have some real deep black/colored rock with some vibrant corals on top.... I have heard mixed reviews of lava rock in reefs, but wondering if anyone has had any experience.

If not I will just go back to plan A and make my own...

[Kenn]

I was thinking of doing the same thing when I set up the 26g.

I was told by several people NOT to use it because of chemicals locked up in the rock from the formation process.

This applies ONLY if it is true lava rock, not the man made.

[cyberwollf]

I am setting up this 26 gal bowfront and planned to make my own rock... but then thought it would be pretty sweet to have some real deep black/colored rock with some vibrant corals on top.... I have heard mixed reviews of lava rock in reefs, but wondering if anyone has had any experience.

If not I will just go back to plan A and make my own...

I'd just use black sand to make your own rocks

[Boonjob]

Well I am wondering if I could even figure out a way to make black rock. Portland cement is pretty white, shouldn't be hard to change it's color.

[cyberwollf]

Well I am wondering if I could even figure out a way to make black rock. Portland cement is pretty white, shouldn't be hard to change it's color.

But you are pouring the portland into a bed of sand right?  Just use black agronite. Shouldnt see too much cement.  they also make cement coloring powders i think.  Not sure what they are made out of, proably arsinic or something lol

[Boonjob]

I was looking at this... need to research it a bit better... http://www.quikrete.com/ProductLines/CementColor.asp

and the method I am approaching for the rock creating is a free form method... this way I can make sure the rocks fit each other perfectly.

[cyberwollf]

I was looking at this... need to research it a bit better... http://www.quikrete.com/ProductLines/CementColor.asp

and the method I am approaching for the rock creating is a free form method... this way I can make sure the rocks fit each other perfectly.

Link to the method?  Im eventually gonna need to make some rock for my next tank

[Boonjob]

Here you are sir

http://www.reefsmagazine.com/forum/reefs-magazine/56220-faking-artificial-reef.html

[Kenn]

you can also order black portland from lowes

[slandis3]

I have used black pond foam in my tank and it works great. I used lava rock on my 90g for bio balls but it is a freshwater tank.

[Boonjob]

I did not know they had "black" protland... any ideas on if this is tank safe?

[Kenn]

I did not know they had "black" protland... any ideas on if this is tank safe?

From what I've read it's supposed to be.

You can get portland in a number of colors. They used to sell powder dye packs for it, but I'm not sure if they still do.

[Viggen]

I have used lava rock for as long as I have been in the hobby.... about 18ish years I think.  Much cheaper to buy at a quarrey & the rock I have purchased has always been red.  It's pretty light & porous so it's pretty affordable. 

[HUNGER]

ive used lave rock in fresh water tanks for the main fliter

[hatcher2014]

hey cody i was wondering about making ur own rock and how u have to let it sit and treat to get the stuff out before u put it in ur tank and stuff i hate to reference tv especially tanked. but on that show they would spray some kind of protective coating to keep from the salt water from eating the paint and keeping it from leaching chemicals would this be ok to do to the rock so you dont have to wait just curious.

[Boonjob]

hey cody i was wondering about making ur own rock and how u have to let it sit and treat to get the stuff out before u put it in ur tank and stuff i hate to reference tv especially tanked. but on that show they would spray some kind of protective coating to keep from the salt water from eating the paint and keeping it from leaching chemicals would this be ok to do to the rock so you dont have to wait just curious.

Not really, for a couple reasons... the major one being it really just leaves the rock being a visual piece only...it would severely inhibit the job of the live rock to filter the water., and most if not all corals may not grow/attach to it...

I am going to try my hand at my first batch of rock(I got a chance to get everything I need so I just need to mix it all up) I will see how long it takes to get the oh balanced... i have read anywhere from 4-8 weeks... average being closer to 6... alot of threads I have been reading state 4-6 weeks is the norm... the lesser quality products you use and the type of cement really make it tak longer... so we will see.

[lazylivin]

I don't know if there would be issues with lava rock, I have seen posts about it as a no no over the years but nothing to substantiate it. Hawaii reefs were created from lava rock. Lava rock is basically glass and there certainly is nothing wrong with glass in the tank. There are three types of rock that volcano's make.  Scoria, Obsidian & Pumas. Pumas floats so that would be no good but the others I bet are fine. The rock is very sharp so may not be great for fish, there are better options but on a budget I bet it would be fine. Only one way to find out.

[hatcher2014]

well when u start doing it cody let me know cause ill prolly pitch in cause i like the arch way rock and i was going to try andget like a 5"pvc pipe and bend it and curl it to how i wanted then fill it after it drys just cut the pvc off of it.

[The WuSue]

Where did you get the black argonite?  We're thinking about doing the bottom of the 250 in black and it makes more sense to buy dry in bulk for what we're doing.

[The WuSue]

Bump on where to get Dry black argonite?

[slandis3]

I had to order it from and old LFS, go to www.drsfostersmith.com and do a search for this item # CD-71403