When talking about live rock (LR), it is a misconception that the rock itself is alive. What makes it live are the many forms of micro and macroscopic marine life that live on and inside of it. The rock itself is only made up of the calcium carbonate skeletons of long dead corals, or other calcareous organisms.There are different types of live rock. In J. Charles Delbeek's article "Your First Reef Aquarium," published in Aquarium USA in 1994, under the Live Rock section refers to "reef rock" basically as pieces of coral or ​coral rock from outside the reef. The coral has broken off and fallen to the bottom becoming covered with encrusting organisms, such as coralline algae and sponges. "Inshore rock" Delbeek refers to as rock from inside the reef that has a tendency to be denser and becomes covered with macroalgae, clams, mussels, crabs, shrimps, and other unwanted organisms. In Delbeek's view, reef rock is much more desirable than inshore rock because it cycles more quickly and stabilizes a tank much faster.

There is also dead base rock, meaning it has no live growth on it. The rock is devoid of external life that probably won't see much light, so you can put other forms of more advanced live rock and corals on top of it to build your reef system base, once your tank has settled and the base rock is seeded or cured. Beginning a reef tank using seeded base live rock as the center stones of the aquarium is not a bad idea. Once the base rock is established, then you can begin to add, slowly, more advanced types of live rock. Some descriptions of live rock sold by suppliers can be confusing. For example, Live Rock suppliers describe their Pacific live rock as, "Actually pieces of coral skeletons that have broken off reefs during storms. This 'rubble' washes in toward shore where it is collected in shallow water." So, is this a lighter type of "Reef" rock, or heavier type of "inshore" rock? See what we mean? For now, we just wanted to make our point on this matter, but in Live Rock Part, 5 - Tips For Buying LR Locally or Online, this topic is covered in greater detail by means of asking a supplier questions about what type of live rock you will be receiving.

Live rock becomes the main biological nitrification base or biological filter of a saltwater aquarium, while at the same time enhances the look of the aquarium and provides shelter for the inhabitants. fish tank heater battery backupTo better understand what purpose live rock serves in an aquarium, Delbeek explains it like this:"The use of live rock immediately introduces into the aquarium numerous algae, bacteria and small invertebrates all of which contribute to the overall quality of the aquarium water. fish tank filter with uv lightLive rock has just as much, if not more, surface area for bacteria than a trickle filter. fish tank filter weakSince live rock in the aquarium contains various types of bacteria, algae, and corals, waste products such as ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate can have a number of fates. cheapest fish tanks in ireland

Ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate are readily assimilated by algae and photosynthetic corals growing on and in the rock. Ammonia can also be quickly converted into nitrate by the bacteria on and in the rock.marine fish tank with sump This nitrate can be absorbed by the algae and corals, or bacteria can denitrify it in proximity to the nitrate producing bacteria." --No matter what type of live rock you choose to use, as you may know, a biological filter base has to cycle and settle for your aquarium to run properly, and this pertains to the curing of live rock as well.fish tank on youtube Mature live rock in a marine aquarium, well encrusted with a variety of coralline algae Live rock is rock from the ocean that has been introduced into a saltwater aquarium. Along with live sand, it confers to the closed marine system multiple benefits desired by the saltwater aquarium hobbyist.

The name sometimes leads to misunderstandings, as the "live rock" itself is not actually alive, but rather is simply made from the aragonite skeletons of long dead corals, or other calcareous organisms, which in the ocean form the majority of coral reefs. When taken from the ocean it is usually encrusted with coralline algae 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, which acts as an ideal habitat, give it the name "live rock". Live rock is harvested for use in the aquarium trade from collections in the wild near reefs, where parts may become detached from the central body of coral by storms. It may also be "seeded" from small coralline rocks by an aquaculturalist in warm ocean water, to be harvested later. Live rock can also be seeded by adding base rock to an active reef aquarium that already has live rock. Live rock harbors a wide variety of corals, algae, sponges, and other invertebrates, when they are collected.

Corals added to the aquarium later will often become attached to the rock. Live rock is highly valued in the aquarium trade. It introduces a diverse array of bacteria, algae, and invertebrates to the closed marine environment and functions as a superior biological filter that hosts 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 stabilizing effect on the water chemistry, in particular on helping to maintain constant pH by release of calcium carbonate. 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 is often used to build caves, arches, overhangs, or other structures in the tank, a practice known as aquascaping. Live rock prior to installation into a reef tank In J. Charles Delbeek's article Your First Reef Aquarium,[1] he states,

Live rock must however be cured prior to aquarium installation. Many of the organisms that previously lived in the rock would have died off during the harvesting and transportation process posing a risk to an immature aquarium of rapid ammonia production due to the dead organisms decomposing. To combat this a curing process must be carried out involving leaving the rock to sit in water for up to several weeks to ensure all dead organisms have decomposed and no longer pose a threat to water quality. Bleached coral skeletons, which can be inhabited by micro- and macro-organisms to form live rock There are many different types of live rock. Each is named after the area from which it originated. A large amount of live rock comes from the Southern Pacific region, in areas such as Fiji, Tonga, and the Marshall Islands, as well as from the Caribbean. Each has its own distinct qualities that make it preferable to certain reef aquarists. For instance, live rock from the Fiji region is often porous and large, and rock from the Tonga region is often dense and elongated.

Base rock, or dry rock, is a generic term for aragonite rock that has no organisms growing in or on the rock.[4] Base rock is often used as filler rock in the aquarium as it is much cheaper to purchase than live rock. In time, base rock will become colonized by living organisms. Recently base rock that is mined from inland ancient reefs has become a popular way to keep the aquarium trade going sustainably. This rock is either maricultured and sold as live rock, or can be purchased and grown in the home aquarium. Base rock can also be made from artificial rock called aragocrete, which is a hand made concrete from combining crushed aragonite, sand, and Portland cement. After allowing the cement to dry, the pieces are sometimes acid washed to counteract the high pH of the materials, and then allowed to soak in clean water for one or more months. They generally tend to be heavier and less attractive when compared to natural base rock. As of August 4, 2008 CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) banned the collection of live rock from Tonga, the Marshall Islands, and the Cook Islands.