Lava rock in a reef tank?

[ThrillYa]

I've got some lava rock that I've been using as base rock in my 65. I thought that would be safe but now I'm wondering. I haven't started putting corals in my tank yet but will soon. I have many snails and crabs that are doing fine as well as a couple stars. Is that proof that I'm not getting any bad leaching from them?

 

[madrefkepr]

The issue with lava rock seems to be whether it is man-made or from an actual volcano. The man made rock does not seem to be a problem, from what I have read. The concern about actual lava rock is based on the assumption that it will contain various metals which could leach into the system, although I have never seen a list of what metals it supposed to contain.

 

[Anonymous]

Iron and magnesium, as well as possibly sulfur would be the first that come to my mind.

 

[ThrillYa]

I'm guessing then that the advice would be to remove it, huh?

 

[Anonymous]

Well, I've used it in my African tanks with no problems for years, but in salt water, and what we pay for salt, and considering how much more difficult it is to keep salt than Africans, personally, I'd be leery of it.

How long have you had it in the system?

 

[ThrillYa]

How long have you had it in the system?

It's been in the tank since it was setup in Sept 02. It was inside an African tank for about 6 years previously.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, usually I wouldn't suggest this, but it seems to me that if it's been in water for that long, that if it was going to leach, it would have. If you don't have any really delicate/expensive specimens, I'd just wait and see.

 

[Philippe Dor]

the real volcanic lava rock, no problems in reef tanks, used tons of it as rubble in 17 frag tanks for 5 years

 

[Mouse]

I'm guessing then that the advice would be to remove it, huh?

yea, allong with that fish killer of a serpent star you have. Im afraid their just like juicy fruit, the green ones is bad.

 

[ThrillYa]

yea, allong with that fish killer of a serpent star you have. Im afraid their just like juicy fruit, the green ones is bad.

Yea, I've been wondering about him... early on I lost a couple fish and found no trace of them. It would be interesting to see him do it as it just seems like the fish are so much faster.

Thanks for the advice. He'll probably be headed off to another tank soon.