rocks

[lightning]

i found some holey rock at my LFS for 1.50 a pound, i also found some really nice formed lava rock <almost looks like holey rock with all the holes in it> at a landscape place for .25 cents a pound, the lava rock is medium to dark red , what should i buy,, what would the 2 look like mixed together ?
i have a brownish colored gravel bottom in my 55 gal

 

[SLO-Dean]

you know the lfs rock will be fine but you may have to be sure the rock is clean. You don't want to introduce a poison or disease to the tank. I think you can boil then soak a few times to ensure it is safe.

 

[SoulFish]

is it going in an african cichlid tank? holey rock is limestone and will help increase water hardness and buffer the pH which is good for them, lava rock can also be used but is inert and wont effect the water

 

[lightning]

ive heard that sometimes lava rock doesnt sink,, whats the story on that,
i think what i plan to do is buy some holey rock and some slate and mis river rock and make some caves and as money permits slow increase my holey rock set-up and a trip to dallis this summer might get me a truckload !

 

[lightning]

well got some nice looking sandstone rocks today, i had picked out some limestone rocks but the guy said they leech alot about double what holey rock leeches, and i didt want to kill my fish, once again he was out of holey rock,, said check next week,, i got tired of waiting, so i got 47 lbs of nice light colored sandstone for 5 cents a pound,,

 

[SoulFish]

nice, sounds great