Lava Rocks Affect KH / PH?

[Earth]

Does anyone has experience on adding lava rocks to a planted tank?
Does it affect water parameters like KH n PH?

[izzat]

is lava rock safe for moss tank with shrimps?

[Sleepy_lancs]

Yes they can be placed in planted tanks. In fact They are better than most stones due to the large surface area for bacteria to be attached to. It will allow water to freely move around the roots area with plants like java are attached to it.

[Aeon]

I used lava rocks to maintain a stable and permanent KH so I don't have to add baking soda every water change.
Plus they look real good. The textures are fine so it suits a small tank well. small details make a small tank look bigger.

Mine: http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...5/f97400e2.jpg

[Earth]

[quote:0d3dc73142="Aeon"]I used lava rocks to maintain a stable and permanent KH so I don't have to add baking soda every water change.
Plus they look real good. The textures are fine so it suits a small tank well. small details make a small tank look bigger.

Mine: http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...5/f97400e2.jpg[/quote:0d3dc73142]

Are those rocks in the picture lava rocks? Mine is red in colour... same colour as those red bricks....

[Aeon]

Lava rocks are a form of igneous rock and its color differs according to the cooling and crystalization process.

Mine I think is Basalt lava rock.

Here's a good link for rocks.
http://www.earth.ox.ac.uk/~oesis/rocks/

[d2hpeter]

[quote:ec6af334af="Earth"][quote:ec6af334af="Aeon"]I used lava rocks to maintain a stable and permanent KH so I don't have to add baking soda every water change.
Plus they look real good. The textures are fine so it suits a small tank well. small details make a small tank look bigger.

Mine: http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...5/f97400e2.jpg[/quote:ec6af334af]

Are those rocks in the picture lava rocks? Mine is red in colour... same colour as those red bricks....[/quote:ec6af334af]

ya, mine too. Brick-red and with a very rough/porous surface...initially was afraid that this may hurt fishes but so far so good. And also understand that it is good for bacteria growth due to its large available surface area [porous surface]

[Earth]

[quote:e2836604="hpeter"]
ya, mine too. Brick-red and with a very rough/porous surface...initially was afraid that this may hurt fishes but so far so good. And also understand that it is good for bacteria growth due to its large available surface area [porous surface][/quote:e2836604]

I have put in my lava rock for 3 days.. so far so good.. all inhabitants happy.. n the moss is growing pretty well on it.

[castawaykev]

I have used lava rocks. The kind you get out of the BBQ bags. First you boil or bake them to kill any bacteria and then wash them. rinsing off any harmful coatings. The add them to the aquarium. Bingo you just saved a fortune from the cost of buying them at the petshop!!!

[cheeboonyong]

[quote:142b68fa55="castawaykev"]The kind you get out of the BBQ bags.[/quote:142b68fa55]

That's interesting. I wasn't aware that lava rocks are packed in BBQ bags, or at least not in Singapore. Is that common in the US/Canada? What is the function of the lava rock for BBQ?