Big lava stones, somewhat like Unzan stone, but w/o the ADA manual on "how to use"

[Tom Barr]

The two rear pieces are in excess of 100lbs each. Not easy to move around, but easier to shape and trim, place, etc than the seiryu.
Easier to get taller vertical height.

This stone has plenty of natural variations that allow for planters without chisling etc, but it can be chiseled.
Nicer than I thought it would be actually.

I like working with this stone more than Seiryu.

 

[ShadowMac]

Those are great! I will sometimes swing by local garden stores looking for some stones like that. No luck yet. All I can find are large red lava stones, and I don't like that color in a scape. Where did you find those?

Uzan is expensive and hard to find, hardly worth it IMO.

 

[Gerryd]

Those are great!

I agree! Great color and texture. I like the top view esp...very nice rock..

Nice arrangement Tom, similar but different than that of the seiryu you tossed together....

Uzan is expensive and hard to find, hardly worth it IMO.

But it is ADA and thus used/blessed by the master

 

[Tom Barr]

Those are great! I will sometimes swing by local garden stores looking for some stones like that. No luck yet. All I can find are large red lava stones, and I don't like that color in a scape. Where did you find those?

Uzan is expensive and hard to find, hardly worth it IMO.

Another guy is selling a black Uath Lava also, different than this, this is more like highly textured Unzan ADA stone.
It's also much easier to place and set into position than say Seiryu stone.
Particularly when you start getting larger and larger pieces.

Amano I am certain is well aware of this factor and ease of scaping.

Gerry, not a real thought out scape, just a general idea tossed together along the lines of something you wanted.
I can get pieces flat and larger than these, 2-3x these sizes.

I might talk to a another client and see what he thinks.

 

[hamza]

Wow! those are some massive rocks!

We get kind of similar dark lava rocks with a lot of variations.

But the problem I faced with these rocks(shown in picture) was, it was increasing the TDS above 1000ppm over a week.
Is there anyway we should treat these rocks before using in the tank?

 

[nicpapa]

Great color and texture , nice collection of stone and roots!!!
You have a lot of roots, what are you doing with them ?

 

[Tom Barr]

Great color and texture , nice collection of stone and roots!!!
You have a lot of roots, what are you doing with them ?

http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/12325-FS-Gnarled-Manzanita-driftwood-batch-1-2013

 

[Tom Barr]

Wow! those are some massive rocks!

We get kind of similar dark lava rocks with a lot of variations.

But the problem I faced with these rocks(shown in picture) was, it was increasing the TDS above 1000ppm over a week.
Is there anyway we should treat these rocks before using in the tank?

Generally you want to treat like you might driftwood, give them a good rinse and soaking.
If there are carbonates etc, vinegar should dissolve most of that.

 

[dantra]

Always pushing the envelope I see. Great collection of stones you got there. No excuses Tom, you have all the equipment for an outstanding scape! Fine, I'll be the first to ask, will you be selling Lava Stones any time soon? (crosses fingers)

Seriously speaking, your collection of stones and driftwood is second to none.

 

[aamir9110]

stone

Tom you're redefining " bigger is better" .

These stones are indeed beautiful.

With your knowledge and connections you can easily hire some one to run The " Aqua Design Barr ' store, heck the forum members alone would give the store enough business to make ita big success.

1. Publish your book
2. your fert line
3. Hire a manager - get your drift wood/ stones up.
4. Big discounts to the BarrReport subscribers!!

and there you go

This is a good time doc.

Regards,
AR

 

[Tom Barr]

Actually I got the go ahead to do some field research in Lake Tahoe, so the academic side beckons, pays better and will leave a longer term more lasting impression upon the world.
The next one will be doing research in Clearlake and a few other small ponds in the foothills of CA. I could do this AR however and hire someone to do most of that work. I do have local people I hire for help often.
1st things 1st, I have a small tank to do in my downtime.

 

[dantra]

At first glance they reminded me of "Feather Rock" which is what I personally believe is what ADA uses but of course I can be wrong. Feather rock is kind of sharp but can be smoothed easily and goes for about $0.58 lb. Its very easy to shape and hollows out with ease.

I've located some feather rocks but the were very small, not worth using, nothing like what you have there. Good luck in Lake Tahoe and hope it all works out for you.

 

[Tom Barr]

I can get huge feather rock, the Unzan stone is much harder more like what I have, and what they sell with those tacky holes carved in them you see at LFS, Petco etc.