Red Lava Stone?

karawr · Aug 23, 2011

I bought a used tank and it came with what I think is called red lava stone. It's red, and very rough/porous all over. When I put it in the water a bunch of bubbles came out.

I don't know much about this rock but is it safe, will it lower/raise pH? All I will have in the tank is 3 balas and 2 chinese algae eaters.

Also as a side question, will pristella or congo tetras nip angelfish fins? I have a baby angel in with smaller congos and pristellas but I'm worried once its fins develop and he grows bigger there will be problems.

If I were to move the angel to a 30g will this be suitable for adult size? What other fish could I put in with him?

laura120381 · Aug 23, 2011

i used to have a red lava rock in my discus tank and it did not effect the water parameters. apparently you can attach an air pump to them and bubbles will come out the stone but i have never tried this!!

L :good:

karawr · Aug 23, 2011

Okay, thanks. :good:

Also edited my first post with a second question.. about angels this time.

laura120381 · Aug 23, 2011

sorry m8...not a clue on that 1!! never kept angels! sure someone else will know!

L :unsure:

fluttermoth · Aug 23, 2011

No, Congo and pritella tetras sjhouldn't nip your angel's fins, although all tetras have the potential to be nippy if not kept in a large enough shoal.

How big is the 30g tank? With bigger fish (anything over three inches or so, adult size) the dimensions of the tank (length x height x width) are as important, if not more important, that just the capacity. Angels can get pretty big; especially top to bottom, so you want a tank that's four foot long and 18" in height at least; I think that works out larger than 30g...

karawr · Aug 23, 2011

Hmm.

Well I have 5 congos and 9 pristella but I'm looking at getting quite a few more pristella... I just bought the only ones available at the store lol.

I don't have a 30g at the moment it was just a consideration for the future.

The little angel is currently in a 75g with those tetras; in the long run that would be a good size for him... it's just I wanted to put my corydoras habrosus in there too... but then I don't want the angel having them for a snack!. I was reading that you could put them in 30gals but... that could be wrong. It does seem small though... angels get so big. :unsure:

But if you think pristellas and congos are ok with them then that's a good start. I'll have to watch to make sure they don't nip.

Thanks for your input.

BigbruiserAl · Aug 24, 2011

My congos battered the hell out my German Rams i wouldt like any where near an angel fish IMO.

And i use lots of red lava rock and my PH stays at 6.6 :good:

You would trust him with an angel :huh:

karawr · Aug 24, 2011

Hehehe I saw your post awhile back... heard he gave you a nip!! So far everyone's so small there hasn't been a problem but I've been watching carefully. :huh: