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Lava rocks are a volcanic rockthe Available in black and other colors is.
They are light and are characterized by some air pockets. The rock is very often used in aquariums, for grilling, for decoration, in the garden or for building with natural stones.
Lava rocks have been a for many centuries popular material for Indonesian stone figures and lanterns.
In addition, Buddhist and Hindu god figures adorn the temples in the corresponding areas.
What are lava rocks?
© Waldi Goretzki
lava rocks consist of solidified lava and are by nature in volcanic landscapes available or are being dismantled by industrial companies. lava rock As a naturally occurring rock, it contains many trace elements and minerals. In addition, lava stones are through their rough and coarse-pored surface structure known. The rock therefore even has some advantages.
The lava rock is available in various colors. Black is the best known and most popular. The Black Stones are really eye-catching and form an interesting contrast to the otherwise green underwater world in the aquarium.
Besides black stones, there are lava stones also in brown, red or violet tones.
Red or violet are usually exceptions, because black and brown are the standard colors for lava stones.
Lava stones in the aquarium
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lava stones in the aquarium;
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lava stones in the aquarium;
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lava stones in the aquarium;
© Christian Metzker
lava rocks used to equip aquariums and are very popular stones for this purpose. Lava stones not only look extraordinary, but have a positive effect on aquariums out of.
This stuff is as well relatively inexpensive and various structures can be realized with it
offer lava stones diverse application possibilities and apart from their special look they have a few advantages that other stones don’t have. They behave neutrally towards aquariums, which means that the lava rock does not affect the water in the tank in terms of its total and carbonate hardness. Lava rocks therefore count as water neutral rock in the aquaristic area.
For some aquarium animals, the water-neutral lava stones are one good food source, because they can be planted with epiphytic plants and mosses. The rock possesses an undeniable filter effect. Now it is clear that even simple stones can have a positive effect on an aquarium.
food for invertebrates
Of course, the lava rocks aren’t the actual source of food, but they are Food remains are often found in the coarse-pored rock. you count for some aquarium animals as an integral part of their food. Shrimp, crabs or snails are all looking for leftover fish food. If this accumulates in the lava rock, it is a very good food source. Apart from the rest of the lining, a thin microbial film on the rough rock. This one is hiring ideal food for numerous snails and shrimp represent.
Natural filter in the aquarium
Hardly any type of rock in aquariums has the coarse-pored and porous rock structure. Thus, lava stones are a suitable domicile for numerous useful bacteria with filter function. by these bacteria the water parameters improve significantly and the aquarium can break down a higher proportion of pollutants.
The The filter function of lava stones has been known for a long time. There is even rock in crushed form as aquarium ground. This substrate is often offered as a volcanic mineral. The clear filter effect of the crushed stones serves very well as the first layer of the substrate.
The crushed rock is also useful in a small mesh in the aquarium filter. So the filter gets biological material in which many important filter bacteria feel good. In addition, lava stones are very cheap and versatile.
Lava stones as planting material
Lava stone planted with moss | © Dominik Mueller
The rough rock can be planted well.
Epiphytes and mosses do well on lava rocks and grow together quite quickly. This rough surface structure allows tie many plants well, which is very positive. The twine may be cut off and removed after rooting on the rock.
So no need to use superglue, leaving the stones reusable. If plants are attached using super glue, this option is not applicable, because super glue leaves traces after the plants are removed.
Clean lava rocks
Since lava stones have a coarse-pored structure, they should cleaning every now and then receive. It is sufficient if they sucked off with a hose when changing the water become. In this way, dirt within the rock pores disappears, but microorganisms remain in sufficient quantities on the stones.
Before using in the aquarium, it is worthwhile Rinse stones carefully under running water, because dust and dirt are trapped inside the pores during transport. This makes cleaning the lava rock easier.
Buying lava stones – what should be considered?
Lava stones are available in various shapes, sizes and colors. So there is one large selection available, but it is not always revealed what is important when buying lava stones. It is very important to think about the required amount and for which aquarium animals this rock is not suitable.
The right amount
An important matter is that right amount of lava rocks for filling the aquarium. Of course, there are only guidelines, because depending on the desired pool design, more or fewer lava stones may be required. Aquariums that are designed entirely with stones logically require more lava stones than mixed tanks that are equipped with plants and roots.
For a rock-only aquarium, the amount of lava rocks required is calculated by Pool volume divided by 6 becomes. If the aquarium has a volume of 120 liters, 20 kilograms of lava stones are required. However, lava rocks weigh little and their density is low, so is multiply the result by 0.7. So for the 120 liter aquarium only 14 kilograms of stones are required.
animals in the aquarium
Also at the Selection of aquarium animals means to be careful.
Catfish as well as other animals can get themselves because of the sharp-edged holes in the lava stones injure. Animals that don’t look for their food on the ground or on the rocks are the best stock. Alternatively, the lava rock can be lushly planted with mosses.
complete packages
are lava stones even available as complete packages. They include a ready-made design and aimed at newcomers. The design templates can be adapted with a little creativity or combined with other materials. The templates are there for various tank sizes.
are complete packages In terms of quantity, they are usually more expensive than individual lava stones, but the set contains only matching stones. This eliminates the need to purchase additional stones if one or more do not fit. There are also no leftovers.