Does lava rock increase pH and TDS?

[Foxtrotperv]

Hi everybody,

I'm planning to prepare a tank for Sulawesi (Cardinal shrimp) and Blue Pearl.
Heard that they like higher pH.
I'm wondering instead of using coral chips, can I just tie my fissidens to lava rock and put them in my tank to increase the pH?

[shrimp2525]

Hi Foxtrotperv you still need to use coral chips sand as base and some coral chips to maintain the higher PH for this kind of Shrimps.Yes you can use Lava rock with this kind of setup.

[Foxtrotperv]

Hi Shrimp2525, thanks for the advise! :cheesy:

[retardo]

There are different types of lava rock, some that will alter your water chemistry, while others are completely inert. You will have to put some in a tank w/o fauna to test how it will affect the water and for how long. After you have determined how the water will be affected, then you can determine if the coral chips are needed or not. OR you can just go with the coral chips and not bother with the lava rock.

[jm_]

TDS should not rise from the rock (maybe a spike if new added as it seeds ie ammonia / hydrogen cycle), TDS will go up with organics ie waste from animals
Rock is you filter if good flow is maintained etc
Look up oyster shells for this re cal or use buffers . ByCarb etc