Quick question

[jmbaker0847]

would voltaic key's ability be considered a mana ability

[G. Moto]

It would be considered an activated ability. This is because paying the mana is a cost to use the card's effect.

[aizbert065]

i don't belive it.. mana ability means ability that produces mana, such as llanowar elves. voltaic key it's just an activate ability, not a triggered one

[jmbaker0847]

ok thanks i was asking because i was gonna use it with the rings of brighthearth

[G. Moto]

  Based off the card you want to use this is the ruling on Rings of Brighthearth: 4/15/2013   A mana ability is an ability that (1) isn’t a loyalty ability, (2) doesn’t target, and (3) could put mana into a player’s mana pool when it resolves.

   So the effects of your creatures making mana in the form of tapping is an "Activated ability" but it's considered a MANA ABILITY because of what it does. I hope this helps a little.