|
-
Sun Jun 21, 2009, 03:11 PM
#1
San Merah Discus
Scoria Rock as Filter Media
On the advice of my son, I bought a bag of scoria rock from Flower Power to use as media in my new sump. Here's some info on scoria http://geology.about.com/od/rocks/ig...cpicscoria.htm
Anyone know if it is inert? Just dawned on me that he uses it for his African tank, but if it is inert it wouldn't make any difference whether for discus or Africans.
Other issue is getting the water to run clear. No matter how many changes of water, when I swish the scoria around in a fresh container of water - the water goes red again. Not sure how particular I should get about this. I think when you pour the water on it & you DON'T swish it all around, water stays clear.
Anyone got any comments on using scoria as a filter media for discus?
Previously known as "Tankwatcher"
-
Mon Jun 22, 2009, 12:59 AM
#2
scoria is inert and an excellent filter media, i use it in my ponds.
washing it is the most painfull process you'll ever undertake.
you have to get all that red dust out it will take hours and your hands will be ripped up
( tip from the moron who's been there, wear good thick washing gloves and save yourself the cuts and scratches)
-
Mon Jun 22, 2009, 01:55 PM
#3
San Merah Discus
Darn - wish I'd picked a different media, in that case. I have lost count how many changes of water a 7litre bucket of scoria has gone through & still the water is as red as ever.
Previously known as "Tankwatcher"
-
Sat Jun 27, 2009, 04:25 AM
#4
San Merah Discus
Just checking - are you sure this stuff ever rinses clean & stops bleeding red into the wash water?
Previously known as "Tankwatcher"
-
Sat Jun 27, 2009, 06:09 AM
#5
It does eventually wash clean. It takes a very long time though and even though its far cheaper to start of with then matrix how much do you value the hours spent washing it
-
Sat Jun 27, 2009, 10:47 AM
#6
LOL to quote Ben...
washng scoria is a bionic pain in the bum
-
Sat Jun 27, 2009, 11:04 AM
#7
Re: Scoria Rock as Filter Media
Originally Posted by TW
On the advice of my son, I bought a bag of scoria rock from Flower Power to use as media in my new sump.
LOL, I'd be asking him to clean it then
-
Sat Jun 27, 2009, 03:16 PM
#8
San Merah Discus
I am very tempted to do just that. But I'm still waiting for him to come around & plumb up my new sump, so i have to be nice (well, at least till then).
Otherwise, I'd give him an earful Never again will I buy scoria.
I guess there's no rush for him to plumb up my sump after all - as I'll be washing scoria till I'm old & grey & still I will be complaining my water is red
Previously known as "Tankwatcher"
-
Mon Jul 06, 2009, 12:23 AM
#9
San Merah Discus
Well, I got serious & nuked the red dust from scoria with the karcher pressure cleaner. In the end, the amount of scoria i bought only filled one section of the sump.
What other suggestions for media might I use? I'm trying to contain costs, so hoping there is an alternative to what you buy from LFS.
Previously known as "Tankwatcher"
-
Mon Jul 06, 2009, 12:31 AM
#10
Plastic scourers form bunnings.
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
| |