Can you use lava rock in a saltwater tank?

[joefishtank]

I need to make a hospital tank. Should I keep it bare or use lava rock to create territory. I used this lava rock in my freshwater tank for years without any problems. I took it out a few months ago so it's dry.

 

[i cant think]

I need to make a hospital tank. Should I keep it bare or use lava rock to create territory. I used this lava rock in my freshwater tank for years without any problems. I took it out a few months ago so it's dry.

Lava rock is relatively well known for its ability to make maintenance easier for you. I would personally use it over not having anything else however if you have PVC pipes then I would also use them for other hiding spots.

 

[John Bolden]

Yes as @i cant think think said PVC pipes in various sizes and shapes give the fish places to hide and feel safe. They are relatively cheap and are easy to clean.

 

[slojim]

I used lava rock a lot in FW tanks, until I noted the sharp edges were creating issues for bottom-dwellers, and I grudgingly went back to river gravel. My hospital tanks are bare bottom - but I keep a bowl of sand and some PVC pipe for hiding places. I have a fish in observation right now, no medication - so I've put some extra pieces of rock in there - but if I find a reason to medicate, the rock comes out.

 

[nuxx]

PVC is your friend

 

[joefishtank]

Thanks all, for the input. I think I'm going to throw a bunch of random(reef safe) stuff together to make it look as ugly as possible lol. Its like a statement the harder you think about it the deeper it gets.

 

[Jekyl]

You don't want rocks or sand in a hospital tank. Meds can leech into them and make keeping proper levels an issue.