Common Mistakes with Dragon Stone vs Lava Rock and How to Avoid Them

Choosing the right hardscape materials is essential for successful aquascaping. Two of the most popular stones are dragon stone and lava rock—each with distinct visual characteristics and unique benefits for planted aquariums. However, aquascapers often make avoidable mistakes when using these materials. In this guide, we’ll highlight the most common pitfalls and show you how to use dragon stone and lava rock effectively in your next aquascape.

Dragon Stone vs Lava Rock: Key Differences

Before diving into mistakes, let’s quickly differentiate these two aquascaping staples:

• Dragon stone (also called Ohko stone) features a tan or brown color and a highly textured, clay-like surface with dramatic grooves and pockets. It’s lightweight and easy to manipulate but doesn’t significantly alter water parameters.
• Lava rock usually comes in red, black, or brown hues. It’s a porous volcanic rock that supports beneficial bacteria growth, making it great for biological filtration. Lava rock is heavier and more durable than dragon stone.

Now, let’s look at where aquascapers often go wrong with each material, and how you can avoid these mistakes for a healthy, visually stunning aquarium.

Common Mistakes with Dragon Stone in Aquascaping

1. Inadequate Cleaning of Dragon Stone

Dragon stone is famous for its intricate crevices—but these grooves can trap clay dust and debris. If you don’t clean your dragon stone thoroughly before placing it in your aquarium, the residue can cloud your water and coat plant leaves.

• How to avoid: Rinse dragon stone under running water and use a stiff brush to remove trapped dirt. Soak and rinse until water runs clear.

2. Fragile Structure and Breaking Pieces

Unlike lava rock, dragon stone is relatively soft. It can break easily during aquascape setup or adjustment.

• How to avoid: Handle dragon stone gently, plan your layout in advance, and avoid stacking heavy stones on top.

3. Planting Difficulty in Grooves

The deep grooves make dragon stone beautiful, but they can make plant attachment challenging, especially for carpeting plants or mosses.

• How to avoid: Use fine mesh, glue, or thread to secure plants to the stone surface. Consider plants that naturally root into crevices like Anubias or Bucephalandra.

4. Overusing Dragon Stone

A massive field of dragon stone might look impressive, but it can overpower the aquarium and leave little space for plants or fish.

• How to avoid: Balance dragon stone with open areas and plant growth. Use the “golden ratio” or “rule of thirds” for pleasing composition.

Common Mistakes with Lava Rock in Aquascaping

1. Ignoring Sharp Edges

Naturally porous, lava rock can have sharp points and rough surfaces that injure fish or delicate plant roots.

• How to avoid: Inspect rocks before use. File down sharp edges and position rocks away from fish swimming paths.

2. Unmatched Color Schemes

Lava rock’s bold red or black tones may not complement all aquascaping themes, leading to clashing aesthetics.

• How to avoid: Design your layout around the color of your chosen lava rock and select plants and substrate that provide contrast or harmony.

3. Planting Without Adequate Anchoring

Lava rock’s porous surface is great for mosses and epiphytes, but if you simply place plants on the rock, they can become dislodged.

• How to avoid: Use fishing line, super glue gel (cyanoacrylate), or stainless steel mesh to secure plants to the lava rock.

4. Not Taking Advantage of Biological Filtration

Lava rock’s texture makes it a powerhouse for beneficial bacteria colonies, but some aquascapers use it only for aesthetics, missing out on its filtration potential.

• How to avoid: Incorporate some lava rock in your filter or as part of your substrate to enhance biological filtration, especially in high-tech or heavily stocked aquariums. Learn more about selecting aquarium filtration media.

Dragon Stone vs Lava Rock: Final Tips

Both dragon stone and lava rock shine in aquascaping, but understanding their properties will help you create a balanced, long-lasting layout. Always consider your tank’s size, livestock, and plant species when planning your hardscape. You can even combine dragon stone and lava rock for unique textural contrast—just be mindful of their colors and placement.

Quick Reference Table: Dragon Stone vs Lava Rock

Next Steps: Start Your Hardscape Right

Whether you’re inspired to try a serene Iwagumi aquascape with dragon stone or a lush, biologically active setup with lava rock, being aware of these common mistakes is the first step to aquascaping success.

Ready to Create the Perfect Aquascape?

For even more tips, check out our Beginner’s Guides, explore our breakdown of aquarium substrates, or contact our team for personalized aquascaping advice!

Have you used dragon stone or lava rock in your aquarium? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below!