Lava Rock

[klbertin]

So I have a ? for you all.
Does any one know if Lava Rock is a bad thing to put in your tank?
I ask this because I am having a real bad problem with nitrate that just will not go away no matter how much I try and try, with huge water changes endless vacuuming and removel of most of my substrate.
I am thinking that maybe the Lava Rock is holding in so much dirt that this may be my problem?
Just a note: the Lava I do have in the tank is huge and was used for a good start for foundation or maybe now in hind site a BAD start in foundation

 

[flower]

I have read that Lave rock has trace metals in it, that’s bad for saltwater tanks and you should remove it. I was told it messes with the PH not nitrates

…What are you calling high nitrates?
For example: Under 40 is safe, but too close for comfort IMO..so I try and keep it at 20 at least. Mine read 10 last test.

 

[klbertin]

For example: Under 40 is safe, but too close for comfort IMO..so I try and keep it at 20 at least. Mine read 10 last test.
LOL 40 I wish try 100 and not coming down.
In the last 5 weeks i have done a 10 gal, then another 10 gal, then a 20 gal along with the removal of half of my substrate, then another 20 gal along with the removal of the other half of the substrate, and finaly a 10 gal water change and the addition of a small over flow filter with Seachem's denitrate removal in my sump.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by klbertin
http:///forum/post/3276439
For example: Under 40 is safe, but too close for comfort IMO..so I try and keep it at 20 at least. Mine read 10 last test.
LOL 40 I wish try 100 and not coming down.
In the last 5 weeks i have done a 10 gal, then another 10 gal, then a 20 gal along with the removal of half of my substrate, then another 20 gal along with the removal of the other half of the substrate, and finaly a 10 gal water change and the addition of a small over flow filter with Seachem's denitrate removal in my sump.

Are you sure your tests are correct..I ask because 100… and still you have live coral and inverts?

 

[klbertin]

Just a note this is a 75 gal tank and you can see parts of the Lava on the left and the right of the tank in my avatar pic.

 

[klbertin]

oh yes im sure of the tests I even took a sample to my LPS and had them do a test also, all of my other tests come back good.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by klbertin
http:///forum/post/3276444
oh yes im sure of the tests I even took a sample to my LPS and had them do a test also, all of my other tests come back good.

Xenia feeds on nitrates, so does cheato macroalgae, maybe get some of that to feed on the nitrates and bring them down..

 

[klbertin]

Thanks for your response on this.
I am making plans on the removal of the Lava Rock ( man is this going to change the tank big time i will need to go get more Live Rock )
As far as the Xenia I dont know if it was the Nitrate or not but all of Waveing Hand Xenia I had is dead and gone and as for the Macroalgae I do plan on getting some next time I place an order on line. I just need to bite my lip and order and pay the shiping on it because I dont want to order to much of any thing more untill I get this Nitrate problem a little more under control. Maybe I can get my LPS to get some in for me. Then I will need to ask more ?'s as far as how to take care of it ( I know you put it in your sump but I dont know any more than that )

 

[flower]

I used an old dishwasher basket, and put clips on it to hang on the back of my tank..Beaslbob said to even leave the little chambers (I was going to cut them out) so I could put different kinds of Macros in each one. The basket is 11’ L X 2’ W X 4 Deep Here is a picture.