| The current trend is to setup new saltwater | | | | growing on and in it. LR is collected from oceans in |
| aquariums using live rock (LR). Another option that | | | | different parts of the world with collection sites in |
| some people choose is to decorate with dead corals | | | | tropical areas such as Fiji, Marshall Islands, Tonga, Bali, |
| or man-made decorations giving the aquarium a | | | | Indo-Pacific, etc. Most rock is named for the area in |
| sterile, artificial appearance. The natural look of LR is | | | | which it is collected. |
| the main reason people choose this method. While | | | | LR makes up the backbone of any Fish Only With |
| aesthetically a great shift, using a natural rock also | | | | Live Rock (FOWLR) or reef aquarium. It is available in |
| has many health benefits for the fish. | | | | two forms: cured and uncured rock. Depending on |
| One key to success with saltwater aquariums is to | | | | whether the aquarium is new or established |
| keep the inhabitants as relaxed as possible. Using | | | | determines whether you choose cured or uncured. |
| dead corals and artificial decor to decorate the | | | | Uncured rock is rock removed from the ocean, |
| aquarium does make the fish comfortable. Initially the | | | | wrapped in newspaper and shipped to your local pet |
| aquarium looks pristine and beautiful, but as algae | | | | and aquarium store. During shipping much of the |
| grows on the decorations it gives the aquarium a | | | | animal and plant life on the rock are damaged. When |
| dirty look. In order to keep the aquarium looking | | | | this rock is placed into an aquarium the damaged and |
| beautiful, the decorations are removed and cleaned. | | | | dying organisms send the levels of waste very high. |
| The fish and invertebrates are disturbed because | | | | Uncured rock put directly into an existing aquarium |
| they use the decorations to setup territories or for | | | | causes ammonia levels to spike, creating distress and |
| hiding places. When the decorations are put back in | | | | or killing existing livestock in the aquarium. Therefore |
| the aquarium the struggle for territories begins again. | | | | uncured rock is primarily used when setting up a new |
| Though algae grows on live rock [just like on the | | | | aquarium with no other inhabitants. |
| artificial decorations] it looks and is natural. LR does | | | | Many pet and aquarium stores will take uncured LR |
| not need to be removed for cleaning. There are also | | | | through a process called curing. Once the rock has |
| fish and invertebrates that feed on algae, keeping it | | | | gone through this process it is considered cured live |
| under control. The rock is porous, with plenty of | | | | rock. Even though this rock is cured caution should be |
| surface area. This allows beneficial bacteria to | | | | used when adding it to an existing aquarium with |
| colonize and break down waste. | | | | livestock. If you already have an aquarium stocked |
| The benefits of using LR far outweigh the negative | | | | with fish, add the rock slowly over time. Adding a |
| but there is a down side. Sometimes a fish grows | | | | large amount of cured LR at one time could make |
| too large, becomes aggressive or maybe gets sick; | | | | your ammonia level spike, which will stress your fish |
| and it becomes necessary to remove it from your | | | | and invertebrates. |
| aquarium. This sounds like a simple task, but | | | | When setting up a new aquarium you can add as |
| sometimes fish are difficult to catch. Imagine an | | | | much rock as you like because there are no other |
| aquarium stacked with rock with lots of caves, hiding | | | | animals present. Generally you use about ¾ to |
| places and crevices into which a net cannot reach. | | | | a 1 ½ pounds of rock per gallon of water. The |
| You may have to remove some or most of the rock | | | | weight of the live rock varies depending on how |
| to catch a fish. This is really not a big deal but it does | | | | dense and porous it is. You can wait a week or two |
| take some time and patience. | | | | after adding uncured LR before testing the levels of |
| Okay, so live rock is the way to go but what is it? | | | | ammonia and nitrite. When these levels are at zero it |
| As its name suggests it is rock with living organisms | | | | is time to do a water change, ensure your pH is |
| (animals, plants, algae, bacteria, etc.) attached to and | | | | correct and then add fish and/or invertebrates. |