lava rock

[sergo]

does lava rock have any effect on water quality? ie, make it harder or anything like that. anyone ever use it for a cichlid tank? any problems with fish rubbing against it? just curious.

[A340]

I haven't used it myself yet, but I know alot of people and petstores that use it in their Malawi tanks. I don't believe that it will change your water parameters and the fish don't seem to be harmed by the textures.

[gm72]

Really? I'd think the sharpness of the rock would potentially harm the fish? Seems like it should be a great bacterial culture substrate, it is quite porous.

[Drumachine09]

Alot of people make backgrounds out of rainguttering, and cover it in lava rocks for malawis. I made a background for my 10g with it. The only downside, is that when you get algae on it, its almost impossible to get it off.

[sergo]

yea i agree that it would make a killer bio culture and i bet i may end up with torn up fish (especially if i use it for my mbunas). i'd really like to try it but at the same time it may not be a good idea for the mbunas. i curious to see what other people think.

[A340]

Really? I'd think the sharpness of the rock would potentially harm the fish?
That's what I thought as well, but I have never seen any harmed fish myself. Personally, I just don't like the look of the rock, but that's just personal taste.