Everything About Live Rock
What is Live Rock?
No, the rock itself is not alive, but is actually covered in life. Coral grows over it, coralline algae grows on it, worms, shrimp and other creatures crawl in it, fish swim around and through each surface and covered with different types of beneficial bacteria.
After the cost of the equipment: aquarium, stand, lighting and filtration, Live Rock can be one of the most expensive and important parts of any saltwater aquarium. Ranging to over $ 10 per pound and with most tanks using around 1, and 2 pounds per gallon of tank volume, the rock is a big part of the purchase price.
Live rock is essential as part of the filtering process that allows the surface of the beneficial bacteria to decompose waste. It also helps calm the fish and other animals, providing much needed hiding. # The leading cause of death of fish in an aquarium is stress and the fish do not feel safe are quick to stress. Finally, the rocks provide the “Aqua-Scape” or “Reef-Scape” which is the landscape of her underwater world. Corals, anemones, sponges, worms, feather dusters, and all other mobile animals are organized in and around the reef structure created by the rock.
Where do most is rock?
The vast majority of live rock available either from a local fish store, or on the Internet is collected directly from a coral life. To say this is harmful to the environment is an understatement. Most reefs are now protected from harvest liverock, so the selection is very low. The rock available is round, no interest in form and often too small to make an interesting structure. Imagine trying to create an interesting Aquascape apples. . . simply can not be stacked in any other way that what you see in the super market. Lacking any cracks cool, cracks, holes and other hiding places can be fun too stressful for the bugs and fish.
During the elimination of the ocean, the time on a boat in a place of business (in Tonga, Fiji, Marshall Islands or wherever …) Shipping to California, then sent back to their area, the rock passes long out of water. While the rock is under water all this time, it sends the “wet”, adding to the cost.
Much during the transport of live animals and algae on the rock dies. Once in your new aquarium can take 6 to 10 weeks for dead biological material to decompose and break down to a point where it is safe to add fish and coral. We call this the “cycle” or “cure the rock” and is one of the most difficult and frustrating for the owner of the excited new aquarium.
What is a “Hitchhiker.”
Liverock often comes with good animals unknowingly come for the ride. Sponges, crabs, corals, worms and small shrimp are often in the home aquarium this way. However, there is also a risk of “bad” hitchhikers as feared and anemones Aptasia wet. The animals are similar to anemones desirable, but smaller, less colorful and not host clownfish. They are also able to reproduce so fast that can take over a whole tank, burning and killing the coral. Hitchhikers include the mantis shrimp, a predator that can kill other shrimps, crabs, snails, and fish. “Bad” coral / shrimps, snails and crabs to eat it can end as others may liverock “evil” hitchhikers.