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Live rock is a term used in aquaria to describe
rock from the ocean introduced into a salt water aquarium, which
confers to the closed marine system muliple benefits desired
by the salt water marine hobbyist. The name sometimes leads to
misunderstandings as "live rock" is itself not actually
alive, but is made simply from the calcium carbonate skeletons
of long dead corals, or other calcareous organisms, which in
the cean form the majority of coral reefs. When taken from the
ocean it is usually encrusted with Coralline and inhabited by
a multitude of marine organisms. The many forms of micro and
macroscopic marine life that live on and inside of the rock,
and which acts as an ideal habitat, give it the name "live
rock."
For the aquarium trade this rock is highly
valued not only for the diversity of life it can bring to the
closed marine environment, but its function as a superior biological
filter that hosts both aerobic and anaerobic nitrifying bacteria
required for the nitrogen cycle that processes waste. Live rock
becomes the main biological nitrification base or biological
filter of a saltwater aquarium. Additionally, "live rocks"
have a stablizing effect on the water chemistry, in particular
on helping to maintain constant pH by release of calcium. Lastly,
live rock, especially when encrusted with multiple colors of
coralline algae, becomes a major decorative element of the aquarium
and provides shelter for the inhabitants. It's often used to
build caves, arches, overhangs, or other structures in the tank,
an art known as aquascaping.
If you have further questions concerning the
need for live rock, do not hesitate to send us a question: customerservice@aquacon.com |
