Volcanic Rock

[Dom]

I came across a piece of volcanic rock today. I stopped to look at it, hosed it off and looked some more. I noticed that it is a porous rock, so I wondered:

Can volcanic rock be used in a reef tank and/or it's sump? It is porous, which leads me to believe that would be a great location for nitrifying bacteria colonies to establish and grow.

The question would be, what metals might leach from the rock in to the water?

Thoughts anyone?

 

[Ranjib]

Hard to say, unless we know the mineral composition. I am curious as well

 

[cracker]

I'd like to know as well. Where did You :come across this rock? Could be saturated with Lord knows what !

 

[Bobothegreat]

I know here in japan I can find that and volcanic sand all day long lol. I would honestly be afraid to use it, having no idea what could be in it all kinds of metal could be mixed into it.

 

[Dom]

I'd like to know as well. Where did You :come across this rock? Could be saturated with Lord knows what !

This live rock has been in my parents rock garden since I was a kid. Recently, while working in my garden, I came across a piece of it and began to wonder.

I guess the only way to find out would be to put it in a test tank and test to see how it effects water chemistry. But the other important thing to consider is not how it effects the chemistry of the things we monitor in reef keeping, but what things that might leach into the water which we don't normally test for.