| Tips for the Serious Hobbyist | | | | The first item to consider is the amount of rock to |
| Marine fish can find a suitable aquarium habitat with | | | | add to a tank. General guidelines are one pound of |
| the addition of naturally artistic saltwater live rock. | | | | rock for one gallon of water for a tank with fish and |
| This colorful aquarium addition can be added to a | | | | two pounds of rock per gallon without fish. |
| saltwater fish tank or alone as a beautiful coral | | | | 2 - Cured or Not Cured |
| garden. However, this special rock requires proper | | | | It is also important to consider whether to purchase |
| care and attention since it is a living habitat for a | | | | cured or non-cured saltwater rock. Cured rock has |
| number of organisms. | | | | been scrubbed of dead organisms and left in a |
| Saltwater live rock is not a rock at all. It is a piece of | | | | storage tank for a period such as a month. This is |
| coral that has broken off from a reef and settled to | | | | more expensive but provides a better source for the |
| the ocean floor. Over time algae, bacteria and small | | | | tank. Non-cured rock will need to be cured before |
| organisms find refuge in the porous habitat where | | | | use. Generally this involves scrubbing off dead |
| they make home. It is retrieved by diving or farmed | | | | organisms and curing in a tank with saltwater. It is |
| by dropping coral pieces in select areas of the ocean. | | | | also important to cure both types for a couple of |
| The bacteria, algae and other living organisms | | | | weeks after shipment before dropping into a fish |
| perform a valuable service when added to a tank. | | | | tank to avoid a spike in ammonia levels. |
| One form of waste expelled by fish is urea. | | | | 3 - Caring for Your Rock |
| Anaerobic bacteria live in the coral and will process | | | | Saltwater live rock should be cared for once it is |
| the urea. Eventually urea become nitrogen gas and is | | | | placed in the tank. It is most important to monitor |
| expelled from the tank. The saltwater living rock also | | | | levels of ammonia for increases. When ammonia |
| provides a source of food for the fish completing an | | | | levels do increase, the water should be partially |
| aquatic life cycle. | | | | replaced to reduce ammonia levels. This will help keep |
| 1 - How Much Rock | | | | the saltwater live rock and fish healthy. |