Thinking of setting up my first salt tank

[Joe Reefer]

Originally Posted by Ephraim

Next question, will all my old lava rock work as a base for the live rock? Is there any problems with this stuff in salt aquaria?

I wouldn't.

[Ephraim]

what's wrong with using lava rock?

[Joe Reefer]

Originally Posted by Ephraim

what's wrong with using lava rock?

This is my opinion and other people believe it is ok to use. I dont. Lava rock can have traces of copper, silver, zinc, iron and all sorts of other metallic things that will kill or at least harm your reef tank. Your best bet is live rock and in your case to cut costs some base rock.

[Ephraim]

Good point, i never even thought of the metallic content. Would Tufa have the same problem? I have a ton of that lying around to that I'm probably not going to use anytime soon.

If the fish will benefit the corals, then I'll look at keeping a few fish as well, maybe some blennies or gobies. I can keep a blacktip reef shark in this size tank right? (j/k)