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Just found a bucket of large lava rocks in garage (Start to clean up in there had to stop to big of a job) is there any problems with using them in the tank.I know that they came with a tank that was given to me a few years back but I never used the before and for some reason I can't find slate here in Miami that is affordable and if I already spent my buget for feb, march. anymore and me and the tanks will be sleeping in the van (wives got to respect them) I know clean them boil them they been sitting for at least 2 years

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

As long as they haven't been exposed to any noxious chemicals you should be okay. As lava rock is plentiful in my part of the world I have and do use quite a lot of it in my tanks and have done so for many years with no ill effects. It's not the best to use with pleco's or other same types of fish as the surface is pretty rough in many cases and not the best surface for them.

Jim

---

Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Hi,
In FL, about the only place you would find slate is
in a landscaping place or the LFS. It has to be imported.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Landscaping stores may give you a discount on the broken stones they can't sell for landscaping. Most people don't want perfectly square stones for their tanks as they don't look quite as natural. Might be worth a try if you really want the slate look, but if you've got free rocks sitting around I'd put them to use .

^_^

A LFS in my area, which apparently is one of the oldest in the city, uses lava rocks in many of his permanent aquariums he has on display. So as long as they are clean should be no problems.

Hi,
There is nothing wrong with using Lava Rock in an aquarium.
There are a couple of problems.
First, because of its surface, it easily traps floating
debris and must be cleaned regularly.
And,second, it has very sharp edges and can quickly gash
a terrified fish as it dashes away when startled.
I don't think I would use it in a tank with "skittish"
fish.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I think I'll go to a landsaping store and see what I can find there. It's not like I could throw a lave and not hit one here. As for Frank and a skittish fish. I have 2 and 6 yr old, I keep them away from the tanks but you know sometimes a nice tap on the glass does occur. So what d you think black gravel with grey slate (planted of courses) with a school of 12 galaxies, 3 otos, 6 flag fish in 30gal with casacade700 Hydor inline 200w UV sterilzer, stand single buld light w/ plant grow light. Plants haven't made up my mind yet excpt for java moss (spawning)and micro swords. Any thoughts on a good low to mid lighting. Any ideals will be greatly excepted

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Hi,
I rarely comment on what one puts in the tank as far as
fish are concerned. It is the choice of the owner and
unless they are way off base in quantity, I generally
remain mum.

The plant grow bulb I would not use. Generally, any bulb
that says "grow" in its label gives off a pinkish to
purplish glow that I strongly dislike. I would go with
any bulb that says DAYLIGHT or SUNLIGHT in its label.
Preferably, one of the daylight bulbs. Those run around
6700K and are ideal for both plants and fish. The Sunlight
bulbs tend to be a higher "K" rating such as "Coral Sun" and
are more for small saltwater tanks.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I agree with you frank on the lava rock, and Frank I think its safe to give your opinion when asked and i asked so thanks you your thoughts. As for the light, I have to look into it more because the 26 bow front I have get very warm and I hhave to turn off thr light every 2hrs and turn it back on every 2 hors to keep it down. Not sure whats going on here. the other tanks don't do thisso I'm not sure if it the design or to hot of a bulb or lid to sealed up.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Hi Dj,
I'm concerned, as you are, about that light. What kind of
light is it? If it is getting that hot, it sounds like an
incandescent lamp ( a light bulb, or a couple of them) and
that much heat is "normal." If it is a flour scent bulb,
then there is something wrong with the ballast. Rarely do
they get that hot, unless you are using a compact
flour scent bulb or VHO bulbs and then the hoods contain
built in fans for cooling.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Frank

The bulb I'm using in that tank is a 15W Life-glo 2 6,700K
the tank is aroung 26gal 3 panel front (80's blow face) with a cascade 700 filter @ UGF with auqaclear 20 and a Twist 9W UV, DIY Co2 system, no hearter have a 100w to go in it but why bother. The hood is the one that came with it from the store. The house temp (AC) runs about 75 degrees. I have removed the tsnk insert where a hang on filter would go, hoping some of the heat might escape, very little happened. There you have it, all the info I have, except for I couldn't post a photo of set-up. Temp right now is 83.1 other tanks are at 76

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Hi,
It's interesting that the bulb/hood raises the tank temp
6 degrees. Running your had across the top of the hood,
where is it the hottest? Is it uniformly "hot" across the
width of the hood, or only in one place? If in one place,
I would say the ballast is the source. How many hours are
you running the light? I would not light my tanks any more
than 10 hours.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I don't feel any uneven hot spots, it is very complexing to say the least. I even turn off the UV, nothing I beginning to think its the tank design, I know sounds crazy but at this point anything goes. If you know anyone else who would like to give this problem a try. your welcome too. I order a new odyssea 2 15w white and blue light compact light yesterday, so when that arrives I will put it on the custom 26gal very large footprint but only 14.5" tall 24"x 18", it now has a brand new light that will fit this hood but no lunar lights will have to move them as will.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams