New lava rocks beneficial bacteria

[ganesan]

How many days would it take for beneficial bacteria to grow on the lava rock surface if they are put into a bare bottom aquarium that has had matured sponge filters running for years and driftwood too immersed for a long time. Can growth of beneficial bacteria be hastened by higher water temperature and higher water circulation near the lava rocks through say a powerful internal filter pointing at the lava rocks or by using a wave maker. We get seachem stability and api products quick start and ocean free products. Are these worth buying.

[brewmaster15]

The lava rocks will start having bacteria grow on them as soon as you put them in the water but for a good strong biological filter you need water flowing though them carrying oxygen and nitrogenous waste to the bacteria so they can utililize it.. if you put that lavarock in a cannister or sump or hang on the back filter it would develop bacteria much faster and better.

Your other problem is the established filters with their water and air flowing through it will be breaking down the ammonia and nitrites quickly which leaves less for the bacteria that starts to colonize the lavarock . This is going to slow things down.

What is the reason you want to use lavarock on the bottom of the tank?

[ganesan]

I thought of keeping lava rocks on the bottom just for more beneficial bacteria to grow which would ultimately still be good for the aquarium any case and in future probably tie some anubias and Java ferns to the same lava rocks

[brewmaster15]

I see. I don't see a problem there but I would not cover the bottom of the tank in Lava rocks...too many places for food and waste to hide. A few pieces here and there is fine.

[ganesan]

I see. I don't see a problem there but I would not cover the bottom of the tank in Lava rocks...too many places for food and waste to hide. A few pieces here and there is fine.

True but I plan to move the lava rocks during siphoning with the nozzle inlet of my siphoning tube to which I attached a 1 inch pvc pipe about 18 inch long which would be hard enough to push the lava rocks to a side when siphoning.

[brewmaster15]

True but I plan to move the lava rocks during siphoning with the nozzle inlet of my siphoning tube to which I attached a 1 inch pvc pipe about 18 inch long which would be hard enough to push the lava rocks to a side when siphoning.

I think you may regret it if you try that but only you can make that decision . You are basically making a substrate tank with lots of places for crude to hide. Some fish species can tolerate that.. discus aren't one of them.

However, If you are planning on using lavarocks like that and want them to be a functioning part of your biofilter you probably should look into undergravel filters.At least with these there will be flow through them for aerobic bacteria to grow..

[AquaticNerd]

Not to mention - I can't imagine pushing those coarse rocks over the bottom glass of an aquarium. The scratches may be small at first, but over a long period of time I feel you may end up weaking the bottom glass to the point where it could compromise the glass' integrity.

[fljones3]

Probably irritate the discus also. I think we forget that they sense by "hearing." Moving, scratching sounds ... I would not do it.

[Iminit]

Ok unless your thinking crushed lava rock it’s very abrasive. In large sizes these could be devastating to a skitish discus. It dashing into lava rock could do some major damage. Just add the lava rock to your filter.

[jwcarlson]

Loose lava rock in your tank is probably not a great idea. But in your filter it's probably not a big deal.

[Discus Fever]

Lava rock is really sharp for that reason by itself I would not use it do to discus getting external scrapes and gashes which can cause external issues to their bodies.