Lava Rocks for Crayfish. Soaking Question.

[Natty]

I was wondering, I just got some lava rocks to increase my crayfish tank's ph. I currently have driftwood in there and I have about 6.7 ph.

A lot of you are probably thinking "thats a good enough ph, no need to stay around 7.0-7.8"

It's just that I can't find a solution to why my baby crays are dying so I'm going to try every single thing I can think of. It's a bit frustrating, but I'll do whatever it takes.

Anyhow, how long should I soak the lava rocks that I just got? They're currently dry and dusty. Also, before I add them in, any objections or are they completely okay to put in there?

[oblongshrimp]

I don't know if the lava rocks would even raise your pH. Why not used crushed coral if you want to raise the pH and GH. If you just want to raise the pH you can add baking soda.

[Natty]

Originally Posted by oblongshrimp

I don't know if the lava rocks would even raise your pH. Why not used crushed coral if you want to raise the pH and GH. If you just want to raise the pH you can add baking soda.

Don't baking soda raise kh as well?

I don't know, I'm partially thinking that it just might be something in my driftwood as well. I got that idea because a friend gave me a list of rocks that'll raise my ph, so I went to my LFS and I got these rocks.

[southerndesert]

There is a great thread about this (lava rocks) here http://arizonainverts.com/forums/ind...0&hl=lava+rock

Lava rocks (most) are inert. I use them in various sizes in all my breeding tanks....

[chase127]

yeah i dont think lava rocks raise your pH. i have some in my tank and the pH is 6.4, granted its got aquasoil but i would probably notice if it made a significant difference.

[Natty]

Originally Posted by southerndesert

There is a great thread about this (lava rocks) here http://arizonainverts.com/forums/ind...0&hl=lava+rock

Lava rocks (most) are inert. I use them in various sizes in all my breeding tanks....

Yeah, Carole linked me to your site so I did a good research already, but I don't know this answer:

1. How long should I soak it before I can add it to the tank?

[southerndesert]

I rinse mine and add them, if worried you can boil them first. I have never had a death related to adding them so far anyway, but I do rinse well to get the red or black dust off them. I added some early on in their use without rinsing well and got a lot of red powdery sand as a result. As with any new additions to my tanks I don't do too much at one time...

[Natty]

Okay, thanks for everything. I'll start adding them tomorrow morning.

[jinx©]

Originally Posted by southerndesert

Lava rocks (most) are inert.

x2...A good washing should be adequate IMO.

[waterfaller1]

Well I am sorry if the lava rocks won't help with the ph situation. I could have sworn they do effect it. Seiryu & Ryuoh will for sure. I think it says the zebra rock will too. I called when I wanted some and spoke with George. That is why I got Yamaya, because it was inert.

http://www.adana-usa.com/index.php?m...uct&cPath=7_14

[waterfaller1]

There is a guy selling rocks here...not sure what type but they look nice.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sw...ing-rocks.html

Isn't there a vinegar test to test if a rock will effect PH? If it fizzles when vinegar is applied, it will effect PH right? That's what we use in the sw hobby to test playsand to see if it's aragonite.

[imeridian]

Yes, vinegar can be used to test for carbonates. A bit of a stronger acid would be better, but vinegar certainly works. Think of the model volcano in elementary school with baking soda and vinegar. The carbonates will fizz when in contact with the acid.

Speaking of baking soda, it's so very much easier when the goal is to raise KH. It's predictable and controllable. If the GH increase is also desired some plaster of paris & epsom salts will do the trick, or just using a GH builder like Equilibrium.

[waterfaller1]

What should GH & KH be respectively? Mine runs at 1 & 2. Too low?

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by waterfaller1

What should GH & KH be respectively? Mine runs at 1 & 2. Too low?

It is okay to be low. You just need to add ferts for some plants. For example my Gh is 3 and Kh 2. I add Flourish and potassium nitrate. The substrate is mineralized with potassium sulfate, calcium sulfate and baking soda.

Used baking soda to raise the ph in previous setup.

[imeridian]

Originally Posted by Hilde

It is okay to be low.