Saltwater Live Rock
What Is The Saltwater Live Rock, And How Can It Help Me Decorate The Aquarium
Let us clear the misconception right at the beginning – a saltwater live rock is not live by itself. But it still
hosts many living micro as well as macroscopic marine life that thrives within its porous structure, and thus the
name “live rock”. Devoid of its marine guests, it is just a calcium carbonate skeleton that has broken off by
natural means (hurricanes and tropical storms). A live rock may contain various types of algae, marine worms, minor
crustaceans, bacteria and other forms of life that had made their home in the rock while it was a part of the
mighty ocean. However, when an aquarist buys a (cured) live rock for his/her aquarium, he/she hopefully acquires
some of these living forms too.
Apart from adding splendor to an aquarium, these rocks provide several other benefits too. In fact, they work as
the primary biological filter for the saltwater aquarium and also work as a home for many small invertebrates,
bacteria and algae on which the saltwater fish occasionally feeds. The other side of the picture is equally
rewarding. Fish wastes such as ammonia, nitrate and phosphate are immediately assimilated by the algae and
photosynthetic coral that grow on the rock. This invisible scavenging process keeps the aquarium clean and thus
helps you maintain the quality of water in the aquarium.
Your Saltwater Live Rock Is Available In Several Forms And Types
Base Rock as the name suggests, works as base on which other lively rocks are gradually placed. It may not have
many living organisms thriving within, but in time it can mingle with the other live rocks piled on it. Priced
affordably, base rocks provide the ideal base for all rock formations in the tank.
Atlantic Rock, Gulf Rock and Caribbean Rock coming from different marine areas, they are not as porous as other
types of rocks. However they are often considered as decorations for saltwater sea aquariums.
Pacific Rock that comes from the Marshall Islands, Fiji, Indonesia and several other locations in the Pacific
are porous and are bestowed with multiple mini caves, holes and apertures where small aquarium fish find excellent
habitat. Looking at the small fish taking quick shelter in the caves when chased by a bigger fish is an
entertaining experience. These salt water live rocks are nevertheless rather expensive.
Aqua Culture Rock is a simple porous rock has remained in the ocean for years and as a result, bacteria and
other friendly organisms eventually start populating them. Aqua cultured rocks are considered to be the most
environment-friendly types.
When shopping for saltwater live rock, the retailer may ask if you are looking for cured live rock or uncured
live rock. So you should know about both of them.
Cured or Pre-cured Live Rock is a rock from which most of the dead or dying organisms have been painstakingly
scrubbed off. Many retailers subject the rock to continuous salt water sprays for removal of dead organisms and
once done, they place it in high circulating curing tank. But in spite of all these measures, a cured or pre-cured
live rock may smell after being shipped to the aquarist.
Uncured Live Rock is much cheaper as compared to the pre-cured variety, but it will still smell when it reaches
the home, and thus you might have to cure it.
So go ahead and get your saltwater live rock for the aquarium. Put some sand and plants into it and the aquarium
will surely look like a mini reef in your home. It is like a mini ecosystem – a small representation of the vast
ocean.
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