What is volcanic stone and its application in the field of aquarium and plant cultivation

What is volcanic stone?
Volcanic stone (also known as volcanic rock or floating stone) is a kind of glassy lava formed by the rapid cooling of magma during volcanic eruptions. Due to the sudden decrease in pressure and the rapid expansion of internal gas, it has a dense pore structure with a pore volume of more than 50% of the rock volume. Because it has many pores, is light in weight, and can float on water, it is also known as "floating stone". Its characteristics include high strength, insulation, sound absorption, fire resistance, acid and alkali resistance, corrosion resistance, and no pollution or radiation.

Application in the field of aquarium:
1. Promotes water flow. Volcanic stone can make the ions in the water more active, mainly by increasing the oxygen ions, and can slightly release alpha rays and infrared rays, which are beneficial to fish and humans. The disinfection effect of volcanic stone is also significant and can effectively prevent and control diseases when added to the aquarium.
2. Stabilizes water quality. This includes two main parts: stabilizing the pH value and mineral content. Volcanic stone has a dual property of releasing mineral elements and absorbing impurities in the water. When there are too few or too many minerals, its release and absorption effects will come into play. And the stability of the pH value is crucial for the well-being of aquarium fishs.
3. Absorbs impurities. The porous nature and large surface area of volcanic stone can absorb harmful bacteria, heavy metal ions, and even chlorine residues in the water that the filter cannot filter out, thereby keeping the water quality of the aquarium clean.
4. Promotes metabolism. Volcanic stone's release of trace elements can promote the metabolism of animal cells, expel harmful halides in the body, and clean up dirty things in cells.
5. Optimizes growth. Volcanic stone can improve protein synthesis, enhance the immune system and increase the mobility of ornamental fish.
6. Nitrifying bacteria cultivation. The high surface area produced by the porous nature of volcanic stone is a fertile bed for cultivating nitrifying bacteria in the water, and its surface is positively charged, which is conducive to microbial fixation and growth. Its hydrophilic property can convert NO2 and NH4, which are highly toxic to vertebrates for various reasons into the relatively less toxic NO3-, which can greatly improve the water quality.
7. Substrate material for aquatic plant growth. Due to its porous characteristics, volcanic stone is beneficial for aquatic plant climbing, rooting, and stabilizing growth. The multiple mineral residues that the stone dissolves can provide nutrients not only for ornamental fish but also for aquatic plants. In agricultural production, volcanic stone is used as a substrate for soilless cultivation, a fertilizer, and an animal feed additive.

Application in the plant cultivation：
1. Porosity: The porous texture of volcanic stone makes it an ideal substrate for plants. The air pockets in the stone allow water to drain easily, while still retaining the necessary moisture for plants to grow.
2. Nutrient holding capacity: The porous nature of volcanic stone also allows it to hold onto nutrients for longer periods of time, making it an excellent material for slow-release fertilizers.
3. pH balancing: Volcanic stone has a natural ability to balance the pH levels of soil, which is beneficial for many types of plants.
4. Increased root growth: The rough surface of volcanic stone provides an ideal environment for root growth, allowing for better absorption of nutrients and water.
5. Pest control: Some types of volcanic stone contain minerals like silica that act as natural pest repellents, protecting plants from insect damage. Overall, the use of volcanic stone in plant cultivation can improve soil quality, increase plant growth and yield, and provide natural pest control.


Usage precautions:
1. During the process of crushing and transportation, volcanic stone may produce some residues and mix with other impurities and powders due to friction and impact. If directly put into the aquarium, it may make the water turbid. Therefore, it is recommended to soak the volcanic stone in clean water for 24 hours and rinse several times to remove the mineral residues in the pores and other chemical impurities before putting it into the aquarium.
2. Volcanic stone generally has the effect of softening the pH value and tends to be slightly acidic. However, there may be exceptional circumstances where it may cause alkalinity due to different water quality and combination of other filtering materials. Therefore, please regularly test the pH value of the water in the aquarium to prevent harm to fish and fry. The impact of volcanic stone on the pH value of water is generally between 0.3-0.5.
3. It is recommended to replace the volcanic stone after 3-6 months of use due to the depletion of minerals inside it. Alternatively, the used volcanic stone can be soaked in saturated saltwater for 30 hours, and then rinsed thoroughly with clean water before reuse.