Lava rock as filter media

[Dibs]

I recently bought a used 65 gal tank, came with a Tetratec pf500. I cant seem to find crap on these filters, but instead of buying a new filter i want to try and use what i got. I got to thinking how i can spend the least amount of money on my setup due to limited budget, and thought maybe i can go buy a bag of lava rocks for 5 bucks and just fill er up (istead of paying out the arse for "real" filter media), and use a bonded blue pad in there where the water enters into the rest of the filter before the lava rocks.

Would this be a decent option, atleast untill i get the money together for a canister???

[Taurus]

The lava rock is going to have to be clean and free of chemicals, but yes it could work.

This would be better.

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[Dibs]

Thx Taurus, that may be they way ill go then, just looking for the cheaper route for media....Ill go with the safe side and look into something that is made for aquariums, i dont like to gamble with that kinda stuff.

Any ideas how much the tetratec pf500 can hold?

[Lady Hobbs]

What would be wrong with using a filter sponge and adding some biomax on top? These sponges last a very long time and only need a quick rinsing to clean.

[Dibs]

Im just on a limited budget, i do have a old sponge i can use, i just wanna try to find the best deal on media. And i dont wanna buy too little or too much, not that i couldnt find a use later in time for anything extra.

[Taurus]

LH has a good point. Price out biomax or a generic eguivalent against the eheim crushed lava rock. I'd use which ever is cheaper. How much to use? As much as you can fit into the filter leaving room for open pore sponge material or the bonded fiber material to act as a mechanical filter to protect the biomedia. But I do strongly believe you should use biomedia that safe for aquarium use.

Oh, and put the biomedia in a media bag or ankle high nylons because you will need to remove it and rinse it in used aquarium water once per month. Placing it in some kind of "bag" will make the biomedia easier to remove, rinse, and place back into your filter.