Live Rock For Sale – How to Pick the Right One

Saltwater live rock is not a rock in anyway. It is a bit of coral which has shattered off from a reef and settled to the ocean floor. With time algae, bacteria and small organisms find refuge in the porous home where they create home. It is gathered by diving or farmed by dropping coral pieces in select regions of the ocean.

The germs, algae and other living microbes perform an useful service when included with a tank. One form of waste expelled by fish is urea. Anaerobic bacteria live in the coral and will method the urea. Ultimately urea become nitrogen gas and is eliminated from the tank. The saltwater living rock also offers a source of food for the fish completing an aquatic life cycle.

1 – Just How Much Rock

The primary item to consider is the amount of rock to add to a tank. Common guidelines is one pound of rock for one gallon of water for a tank with fish and 2 pounds of rock per gallon without fish.

2 – Cured or Not Cured

It is also crucial that you consider whether to purchase cured or non-cured saltwater rock. Cured rock has been scrubbed of dead microorganisms and left in a storage tank for a period such as a month. This is more expensive but offers a better source for the tank. Non-cured rock will need to be cured before use. Generally this involves scrubbing off dead organisms and curing in a tank with saltwater. It is also essential to cure both types for a number of weeks after delivery before dropping into a fish tank to steer clear of a spike in ammonia levels.

3 – Caring for Your Rock

Saltwater live rock should be cared for once it is placed in the tank. It is most important to monitor levels of ammonia for increases. When ammonia levels do increase, the water should be partially replaced to reduce ammonia levels. This will help keep the saltwater live rock and fish healthy.

For anyone who think aquarium live rock is basically only used to give your fish aquarium the look of a true underwater environment, then you are completely mistaken. As you will see from the information below, aquarium live rock actually serves a greater purpose to all of the species and life forms in your tank. If a better quality of life for your fish is something you strive for, then you can start out with getting this type of rock for your fish tank.

The main purpose of live rock is to serve as one of the main biological filters for a saltwater aquarium. The main point you need to note in that statement is the fact that it is used for saltwater aquariums and not freshwater aquariums. Live rock also serves as the platform for corals, anemones and coralline algae to form and be sustained in the aquarium.

Of course, the aquarium rock is also used to enhance the appearance and decor of the tank, while also providing shelter for fish and other inhabitants that may not feel to come out into the open at one point or the other.

Basically, this type of rock is termed ‘live’ because of the many forms of macroscopic and microscopic marine life that live on the inside of the rock. The rock itself is not necessarily live, as it is only made up of calcium carbonate skeletons of corals that died a long time ago. It is also made up of other calcareous organisms, so technically the rock itself is not live but what is living inside of it is.

Depending on the layout and color scheme of your tank, you can definitely find aquarium live rock in various shapes and sizes. Generally, the prices start from as low as $10 and climb based on the intricacy of the rock design as well as the size. Depending on which store you go to, you can find fresh live rock for your aquarium. Or, you can also go and gather some yourself once removal from the source is not affecting underwater species. The South Pacific region including islands like Fiji is home to many different types of live rock and you may be able to find yourself one or two if you happen to be on a trip there. Otherwise, you will have to take what you get from the pet store!

Now that you know the true purpose and make up of aquarium live rock, you can definitely ensure that what you have is serving its purpose of protecting your fish and other species, as well as adding to the decor of your tank.

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