Reef Aquarium Live Rock

Reef aquarium live rock and the amount you use is very important to the stability of your tank. It is the main biological filtration system for your aquarium.

The essential bacteria used to break down the toxic waste in your aquarium will live mostly on it and inside tiny holes.

So, what is live rock exactly?

Live rock is made up of a calcareous (limestone) structure that is formed by the deposition of many species of living (stony) corals and other invertebrates. Some of the coral reefs in the world have taken hundreds of years to form. This is an ongoing interaction forming either in the deep ocean or in shallow coastal reefs. Powerful storms pound these shallow reefs and many pieces are broken off and pushed closer to shore. They are then gathered by licensed suppliers, and eventually make it to your local fish store.

Right now there are several locations around the world where collection is allowed and taking place. It's almost always named for the geographic location it's collected from. Some of the more popular choices are Figi, Tonga, Indo and so on. You get the picture.

The minimum amout you need is still a debated issue. A general rule is to have 1 to 2 pounds per gallon. This is not a hard and fast rule though, as I will show you.

All live rock is not the same density. In fact, some types can be more than twice as heavy as another similar sized piece. This is because of the variation of porosity of different rock. Some rock will have many more large and tiny holes in it. This is usually a good thing as it allows many more hiding places for bacteria and many other tiny tank inhabitants.

For me, I don’t like a tank filled with rock, but many others do. As long as you have enough reef aquarium live rock to support the needed bacteria for your tank inhabitants, then you will be fine.

Take a look at the following link and learn about curing your live rock.