Dom
Theoretical Reef Keeper
In another thread, I mentioned that I found some volcanic rock in the garden and wondered how it would work in a reef environment. Initially, I speculated it might work well as it is porous and would provide a great place for nitrifying bacteria to colonize. But upon further consideration, I wondered what metals might leach out of the rock.
So, as an experiment, I've set up a 40 gallon long with a new 2 inch sand bed, an AquaClear 110 HOB filter and 4 lamp T5 light on an 8 hour timer. It's filled with water I prepared to .35ppt.
I placed 8 pieces of volcanic rock, each about the size of a healthy grapefruit in the tank.
My plan is to cycle this tank and monitor the water chemistry. The limitation is that I can only monitor the things important to us in reef keeping.
I will have to send out samples for a complete range of tests in order to ID the things we don't normally test for in the hobby.
Can anyone tell me where to send samples?
So, as an experiment, I've set up a 40 gallon long with a new 2 inch sand bed, an AquaClear 110 HOB filter and 4 lamp T5 light on an 8 hour timer. It's filled with water I prepared to .35ppt.
I placed 8 pieces of volcanic rock, each about the size of a healthy grapefruit in the tank.
My plan is to cycle this tank and monitor the water chemistry. The limitation is that I can only monitor the things important to us in reef keeping.
I will have to send out samples for a complete range of tests in order to ID the things we don't normally test for in the hobby.
Can anyone tell me where to send samples?
