Is it okay to remove lava rock?

I'm sorry if this question is dumb, but I've been looking into redoing some of the aquascaping in my 24 gallon tank. I would like to replace the lava rock in it with something else, especially since I plan to get a betta since I read rocks like that can damage their fins. But I also know that beneficial bacteria can live inside the lava rock's pores, so will getting rid of it damage the cycle or will there still be plenty of bacteria in the gravel and filter media?

 

Not dumb at all, that is how we learn! It should be totally fine to remove the rock. There is bb in the rock but you also have it in the rest of the tank. How long has the tank been running and how much rock do you have?

 

It really depends on how much of it you have in tank and the stocking. BB also lives in the filter media, other decor, and glass. I would remove it if you are getting a betta. Just check the parameters regularly and see if there are any issues.

 

Not dumb at all, that is how we learn! It should be totally fine to remove the rock. There is bb in the rock but you also have it in the rest of the tank. How long has the tank been running and how much rock do you have?

My tank has been running for about three years now, I believe. I also test the parameters once in a while and everything has been good.

 

My tank has been running for about three years now, I believe. I also test the parameters once in a while and everything has been good.

I think it should be good then, jest keep an eye on the parameters.

 

One way to do this is to take out the lava rock and put it in a bucket of (dechlorinated) water. Measure your parameters for a few days with the lava rock out of the tank, and if everything is good, then that means the lava rock was not super important.

If parameters go wonky very fast, then you can put the lava rock back into the tank right away. If ammonia and/or nitrite does climb a bit, then it was probably not a major player, and potentially you can keep the lava rock out as you let your tank's nitrification capacity can 'catch up' with beneficial bacteria elsewhere increasing in numbers.

 

One way to do this is to take out the lava rock and put it in a bucket of (dechlorinated) water. Measure your parameters for a few days with the lava rock out of the tank, and if everything is good, then that means the lava rock was not super important.

If parameters go wonky very fast, then you can put the lava rock back into the tank right away. If ammonia and/or nitrite does climb a bit, then it was probably not a major player, and potentially you can keep the lava rock out as you let your tank's nitrification capacity can 'catch up' with beneficial bacteria elsewhere increasing in numbers.

Ah okay, I'll give that a try! Though I'm going to be doing my daily cleaning/water change on Monday, will that affect anything?

 

Ah okay, I'll give that a try! Though I'm going to be doing my daily cleaning/water change on Monday, will that affect anything?

No.

 

When removing anything that has a little bacteria on it ( larva rocks) don’t clean any filters glass or gravel. Not disturbing any hard surfaces that may have a little bacteria on them for a fortnight.

It really is not necessary to clean every week. But water changes are essential.