[ksreefbuilder]

I have read several posts that all say to stay away from lava rock and that it is bad, but... All of those posts were talking about non live dead rock. My question is, would it be ok to add some LIVE lava rock to my fug? I already have 150+ lbs of regular live Fiji rock in my tank and about 10 lbs in my fug, but want to add more to the fug. I found a LFS that has and only sells live lava rock and it looks great and is bright maroon. Please fill me in with any experiences or suggestions you have on it. The LFS said live lava rock is better than Fiji IHO, just harder to get. THANKS

[Tonz of fun]

This may help you.
About Live Rock - Part 6 - Choosing Rock Grades and Making Your Own Live Rock[

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by Tonz of fun

This may help you.
About Live Rock - Part 6 - Choosing Rock Grades and Making Your Own Live Rock[

yes, it was interesting, but still only talked about dead lava and not live lava rock. The LFS has a 300 gal reef tank with nothing but the live lava rock and it is amazing. It is all covered in life and nice bright color.

[jvharding]

Also research Obsidian or Pumice also known as Lava Rock it is loaded with minerals this could be bad for your reef. The stuff you maybe referring to maybe Pumice.


Neighborhood Rocks: Pumice

IMO adding Live Lava Rock bad idea. A reef tank is a closed system should there be any bad minerals in it. There will not be enough water volume to dilute it.

IE the ocean is very big so these minerals are not as much as a burden.

[jvharding]

Originally Posted by parsonsc

yes, it was interesting, but still only talked about dead lava and not live lava rock. The LFS has a 300 gal reef tank with nothing but the live lava rock and it is amazing. It is all covered in life and nice bright color.

How long has this tank been established? This is a big question! The issue is with the minerals not whether or not the rock is alive makes no difference

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by jvharding

Also research Obsidian or Pumice also known as Lava Rock it is loaded with minerals this could be bad for your reef. The stuff you maybe referring to maybe Pumice.


Neighborhood Rocks: Pumice

IMO adding Live Lava Rock bad idea. A reef tank is a closed system should there be any bad minerals in it. There will not be enough water volume to dilute it.

IE the ocean is very big so these minerals are not as much as a burden.

Well the LFS called it Live Red Lava Rock. I was just wondering if anyone else had used it though. He said it comes direct from Fiji and is cured over a year before sale to get max life.

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by jvharding

Also research Obsidian or Pumice also known as Lava Rock it is loaded with minerals this could be bad for your reef. The stuff you maybe referring to maybe Pumice.


Neighborhood Rocks: Pumice

IMO adding Live Lava Rock bad idea. A reef tank is a closed system should there be any bad minerals in it. There will not be enough water volume to dilute it.

IE the ocean is very big so these minerals are not as much as a burden.

Well, it dont really look like any of those... It looks just like regular Fiji rock only it is bright red and heavy.

[jvharding]

Not much material out there on the red stuff I have come across people here in the forum that have had to remove lava rock from their system. Again I would not put in my system.

[ksreefbuilder]

ok, I just thought it looked nice and the LFS has some really nice displays with it as well.

[Tonz of fun]

I wouldnt risk it. Its going to be for your sump anyways. Its going to look gross and nasty in 3 months anyways.

[sanjaypawar]

I see two problems with Live LAVA rock.

a) Is it mined from the sight of a new eruption. If it is, it may have heavy traces of toxic gas from underground and not have enough bacterial growth which is what you need.

b) the other problem is LAVA rock could be very dense and therefore its weight per unit of volume could be high. This adds to too much weight and not enough volume. Volume is what you are looking for.

c) Why buy it? Is it super cheap. If not just get some good regular live rock.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Lava rock was very popular in the fresh water end of things for several years.People who used a lot of it experienced extremly high phosphate levels.

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by sanjaypawar

I see two problems with Live LAVA rock.

a) Is it mined from the sight of a new eruption. If it is, it may have heavy traces of toxic gas from underground and not have enough bacterial growth which is what you need.

b) the other problem is LAVA rock could be very dense and therefore its weight per unit of volume could be high. This adds to too much weight and not enough volume. Volume is what you are looking for.

c) Why buy it? Is it super cheap. If not just get some good regular live rock.

I was told it comes direct from Fiji and is the best you can buy. He said it is always cured for 12 months before he gets it and he has had the last of this order for about 4 months. He said he orders 1000lbs at a time and just wants the last smaller pieces gone before his new order comes in. He offered it to me for $1 a lb as much as I want, and usually sells it for $5 lb. I really want to take him up on it, but dont want to screw up my nice new tank.

[pyromaniac398]

Dont forget your LFS wants your money. I mean figi can run all the way to 12 dollars a pound for ultra premium. If this is better why is he selling it to you for only a dollar a pound. I dunno I'm always a little leary when my LFS is try to push something on me for real cheap.

[ksreefbuilder]

Originally Posted by pyromaniac398

Dont forget your LFS wants your money. I mean figi can run all the way to 12 dollars a pound for ultra premium. If this is better why is he selling it to you for only a dollar a pound. I dunno I'm always a little leary when my LFS is try to push something on me for real cheap.

Well, thats really what made me so interested in it so much, he was not pushy at all... I was looking it all over and he ask if I need anything and I ask a few questions and that was it. I would like to pick up a few lbs at that price, but dont want to hurt anything either. All of it looks very nice and has coralline algae all over it.

[jvharding]

Originally Posted by parsonsc

Well, thats really what made me so interested in it so much, he was not pushy at all... I was looking it all over and he ask if I need anything and I ask a few questions and that was it. I would like to pick up a few lbs at that price, but dont want to hurt anything either. All of it looks very nice and has coralline algae all over it.

I seems like you really want to give this stuff a try. If you decide to get it please get us some pictures so we can see what this stuff looks like. Good Luck