The sequence of life form establishment on substrates without vegetation remnants was clearly algae first, then mosses and ferns, then lichens, then native woody seed plants and finally exotic woody and herbaceous seed plants.

Soil forms from rocks when they are slowly broken down by wind and rain. So the main change that has to occur to the surface of a volcano in order for most plants to grow is that the lava rocks have to weather: the lava rocks have to break down in the wind and rain to make soft soil that the plants can grow in.

Lava flows which form on the rainy parts of Hawaii will break down to produce soil within a couple of years, whereas lava flows which form on dry parts of Hawaii can take hundreds of years to break down and produce soil.

If a volcanic eruption spews mineral-rich ash in the area around it, plants can grow back relatively quickly. Eventually, ferns and other plants can start to grow. But for soil to form on the top of the lava flow, the rock has to weather down.

Above a certain temperature, these bonds break – and even the coldest lava on the planet would be far too hot for DNA or RNA to remain intact. So no, you almost certainly won’t find anything alive in molten rock, even extremophiles.

Plants in lava rock can grow into the porous, pocked surface and survive without much root space. For this reason, choose plants that have shallow root zones. Lava rock houseplants are also common gifts and novelty gardening situations.

If lava rock comes into play as a substrate component, plants and gardeners alike benefit from numerous advantages. Potting soil becomes loose and airy if you add a few handfuls of lava rocks. If you occasionally forget to water, the porous grains will release stored water to the plant roots.

Lava rocks are the ultimate drainage solution for your plant babies to prevent a heavy-handed watering. If you have an indoor planter without a drainage hole, placing lava rocks at the bottom of the planter can help prevent drowning your plants by creating a place for excess water to pool.

If you do want to accentuate other plants, it’s important to leave them plenty of soil space. You can mulch with lava rock. It won’t provide your gardens with nourishment, but it will last longer than traditional organic mulches that will. The dark color will also enrich your garden as far as looks go.

I’ve replied to your other post aswell no lava rock won’t raise your ph neither will slate you would need limestone but as you’ve already said your water is hard any way so don’t sweat about the ph.

An anaerobic environment is created inside the rock as beneficial nitrifying bacteria consume all the oxygen in the water. We all know how nitrate in the aquarium is bad news for fish and shrimp so Lava Rock really is the most natural and best way of removing nitrate.

Also, technically, they aren’t really lava. Lava is what we call the molten rock that flows from an active volcano, after it’s exposed to the air. Underground it is called magma. So, the lava rocks in your garden are really an igneous rock – meaning hardened lava.

Dragon Stone is all natural — no paints, dyes, or plastic coatings. Stones are pre-cleaned and won’t affect aquarium pH. Just as you would cure other natural structures (live rock, etc.) before adding them to your aquarium, it is important to soak your Dragon Stone prior to placement.

Ohko Stone is a clastic sedimentary rock comprised of clay minerals and other small bits of organic matter that wash up from passing waves of water. This rock is also commonly referred to as Dragon Stone due to its scale-like appearance.

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No, as far as I know rocks will either raise or not change your pH.

Decorative river rock for use in fish tanks and ponds. These river rocks will need to be rinsed before use in your fish tank or pond. Naturally beautiful river rock to give your fish tank character. River Rock helps provide good bacteria a place to establish.

Could rocks or gravel that were added as decor in the aquarium affect the water pH? Yes. If your rocks are actually limestone, they are the cause for the pH elevation in your aquarium water.

Gravel is the better choice for most freshwater aquariums. Gravel also comes in a variety of colors so you can customize your tank and make it complement your fish. The Case for Sand Substrate. Sand doesn’t allow water to flow through it as well as gravel does.

Live Sand. Because living sand will increase the pH up to 8.0 or even more, which is not acceptable for the majority of freshwater fish. The bags of live sand are small and partially filled with water.

There are no rocks that will lower PH. Driftwood and/or peat are the best ways to go. I think you might be a little misinformed if you think that it will be low maintenance to try to keep your PH in such a narrow range.

Can I Use Outdoor Gravel or Rocks in an Aquarium? Rock composition could possibly change the hardness and pH of the water in a way that harms your fish. Collected outdoor stones may also be covered with contaminants that can affect aquarium water.