Lava Rock Toxic?

raven_wilde · 06-12-2012, 08:58 PM

So last night I was reading Creating A Natural Aquarium by Peter Hiscock (amazon link) and came across something that I have never heard before:

Which rocks to use
Inert rocks that are safe to use in the aquarium
Basalt, coal, flint, granite, lava, quartz, sandstone, slate.
Note: Lava rock is only suitable once it has been weathered and cleaned. When fresh, it is quite poisonous. Be sure to obtain lava rock from an aquatic dealer.

Frustratingly of course the book does not elaborate further or give instructions as to how to insure that your rock is weathered/cleaned.

Can anyone explain this? I have never seen in any of my other reading anywhere that lava is toxic.

**speedie408** · 06-12-2012, 09:01 PM

If they were toxic, all my expensive shrimp would all be dead.

They're still alive and kicking for about 6 months now.

I got lava rock everywhere in my shrimp tanks.

BTW I got mine from OSH and HD.

raven_wilde · 06-12-2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedie408

If they were toxic, all my expensive shrimp would all be dead.

They're still alive and kicking for about 6 months now.

I got lava rock everywhere in my shrimp tanks.

BTW I got mine from OSH and HD.

Did you do anything to it before you put it in your tank?

**speedie408** · 06-12-2012, 09:05 PM

Just 1 cycle rinse in a 5g bucket to get rid of any dust but nothing major bro.

raven_wilde · 06-12-2012, 09:40 PM

you called me 'bro'.... lulz

**speedie408** · 06-12-2012, 09:51 PM

My bad lol, are you a lady?

NWA-Planted · 06-12-2012, 09:58 PM

I have a Sump full of lava rock, not one issue, I didn't even rinse mine...,broski? or possibly the occasional brodette?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

raven_wilde · 06-12-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedie408

My bad lol, are you a lady?

Yeah, and while I realize that there is no way for you to know that I still find it hilarious whenever its automatically assumed that I'm a guy.

somewhatshocked · 06-12-2012, 10:27 PM

Not all "lava rock" is created equal. Some can contain tons of iron and other metals that may be toxic.

For the most part, though, the stuff you can get from landscaping supply houses is perfectly safe after a rinse. If there's ever a concern, soak it in a bucket and test it.

06-12-2012, 08:58 PM	#1
raven_wilde Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Outer Rim of the 'D' - Michigan Posts: 523	Lava Rock Toxic? So last night I was reading Creating A Natural Aquarium by Peter Hiscock (amazon link) and came across something that I have never heard before: Which rocks to use Inert rocks that are safe to use in the aquarium Basalt, coal, flint, granite, lava, quartz, sandstone, slate. Note: Lava rock is only suitable once it has been weathered and cleaned. When fresh, it is quite poisonous. Be sure to obtain lava rock from an aquatic dealer. Frustratingly of course the book does not elaborate further or give instructions as to how to insure that your rock is weathered/cleaned. Can anyone explain this? I have never seen in any of my other reading anywhere that lava is toxic. __________________ Keeper of plants, shrimp & oddball 'monsters'. 30gal X2 Journal \| 'Ebiwagumi' EDGE

06-12-2012, 09:01 PM	#2
speedie408 Canon Pimp #001 (View User Tanks) PTrader: (361/100%) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area, Cali Posts: 7,900	If they were toxic, all my expensive shrimp would all be dead. They're still alive and kicking for about 6 months now. I got lava rock everywhere in my shrimp tanks. BTW I got mine from OSH and HD. __________________ Canon Pimp Club #001 \| "ADA 120-P" \| Shrimp PIX COLLECTION by speedie408 \| RIP 39g "The Beginning" \| RIP "Variance" 40B collectoritis tank"

06-12-2012, 09:05 PM	#4
speedie408 Canon Pimp #001 (View User Tanks) PTrader: (361/100%) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area, Cali Posts: 7,900	Just 1 cycle rinse in a 5g bucket to get rid of any dust but nothing major bro. __________________ Canon Pimp Club #001 \| "ADA 120-P" \| Shrimp PIX COLLECTION by speedie408 \| RIP 39g "The Beginning" \| RIP "Variance" 40B collectoritis tank"

06-12-2012, 09:40 PM	#5
raven_wilde Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Outer Rim of the 'D' - Michigan Posts: 523	you called me 'bro'.... lulz __________________ Keeper of plants, shrimp & oddball 'monsters'. 30gal X2 Journal \| 'Ebiwagumi' EDGE

06-12-2012, 09:51 PM	#6
speedie408 Canon Pimp #001 (View User Tanks) PTrader: (361/100%) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area, Cali Posts: 7,900	My bad lol, are you a lady? __________________ Canon Pimp Club #001 \| "ADA 120-P" \| Shrimp PIX COLLECTION by speedie408 \| RIP 39g "The Beginning" \| RIP "Variance" 40B collectoritis tank"

06-12-2012, 09:58 PM	#7
NWA-Planted Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 3,047	I have a Sump full of lava rock, not one issue, I didn't even rinse mine...,broski? or possibly the occasional brodette? Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2 __________________ Sump Pimp #8 RAOK Clubber #28

06-12-2012, 10:27 PM	#9
somewhatshocked Obsessed? Maybe (View User Tanks) PTrader: (262/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,538	Not all "lava rock" is created equal. Some can contain tons of iron and other metals that may be toxic. For the most part, though, the stuff you can get from landscaping supply houses is perfectly safe after a rinse. If there's ever a concern, soak it in a bucket and test it. __________________ 12gal Long \| 20L Shrimp Tanks \| 3gal Longs \| 10gal \| 45-F \| 5.5gal Tigers \| 20cm Cubes

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode