lava rocks disintegrated after planting

[Rivert]

Hi,

I bought a couple of lava rocks with Java ferns on them about 11 months ago. They've completely fallen apart since then, leaving just the Java ferns behind.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Kind regards

[littleking]

I'm trying to get a better understanding of your situation, Rivert. Can you provide more details about the lava rocks you purchased? Do you have any pictures of them or perhaps a link to the website where you bought them from? This would be really helpful in figuring out what might have caused them to disintegrate.

[Rivert]

I got them from Pets At Home. They're the same as this one, I don't have any photos of mine as they've fallen apart completely.

[littleking]

Not a huge fan of Pets at Home, but I'd have thought their lava rocks would be safe enough, usually inert and all that.

The rocks are porous, got lots of little holes, and water gets in, but to break down completely in 11 months is a bit strange, unless it was a really soft rock that's easily broken up, that would explain why they've disintegrated.

If your fish are behaving normally, no gasping near the surface or lethargy, I'd just leave the broken rocks where they are, unless they're unsightly, then just remove them from the tank.

You could find a nice piece of bogwood, driftwood or red moor root wood and tie or glue the Java ferns onto that, looks really nice. Or get some stronger inert stone, a nice piece of slate with no sharp edges or fluxeon stones, looks nice with Java fern or moss attached.

A few options to consider, anyway.

[shakinStevens]

That lava rock doesn't look like any I've come across before - it's difficult to say for sure, but to me, it resembles a type of gravel with a binder, possibly sandstone. If that's the case, the sandstone's GH binders would break down over time, essentially turning into regular sand mixed with gravel.

[Rivert]

I'm trying to get a better understanding of your situation, Rivert. Can you provide more details about the lava rocks you purchased? Do you have any pictures of them or perhaps a link to the website where you bought them from? This would be really helpful in figuring out what might have caused them to disintegrate.

Thanks for the advice, I'll consider re-homing the Java ferns on a different surface.
If I were to tie or glue them to a new piece of decor, what would be the best method and materials to use?

[Rivert]

That lava rock doesn't look like any I've come across before - it's difficult to say for sure, but to me, it resembles a type of gravel with a binder, possibly sandstone. If that's the case, the sandstone's GH binders would break down over time, essentially turning into regular sand mixed with gravel.

Thanks for the advice, I'll look into that then. What do I need to use to tie or glue the Java ferns onto the new piece of decor?