Live Rock...or Dead Rock?

[Tiny Tears]

When you buy "live rock", how do you know it is live?

OR

How do you know it is dead?

AND

If it is dead...how do you make it live again?

Thank you

[Gouldian]

Live rocks:

1. Needs to remain submerge in seawater thus when you buy LR make sure it is taken from a tank or tub with seawater.

2. Will have some live form growing on it such as algae / coralines.

3. Will smell (Some like it but I would'nt bet my last buck on it).

Dead rocks:

1. Clean & dry.

2. Nothing growing on it.

3. Usually place in some container without any form of water or circulation.

As you might already know Dead rocks can be converted to Live rocks but this process will takes time and if you don't have any live rock to begin with it will be even much difficult convert dead rocks to live rocks.

Anyway, most reefers will go for the live rocks cuz firstly you can be certain that the rocks are truly from the sea and secondly LR aids filtrations and expedite cycling process.

Although dead rocks are much cheaper, some which are not from the sea will leech unwanted nuitrients such as silicates or even worse poisons into your tank!

For me, I will usually go for dead rocks (That I confirmed origin) only as base rocks and use LR to fill up the rest of my tank.

[iewnehz]

live rocks comes with lots of "live" stuff one it...eg. small crabs..worms..etc etc..

those crabs and worms are usually uwanted pest, therefore ppl don't like..

[Gouldian]

live rocks comes with lots of "live" stuff one it...eg. small crabs..worms..etc etc..

those crabs and worms are usually uwanted pest, therefore ppl don't like..

Actually most reefers nowadays are beginning to appreciate the present in Bristle Worms due to it "Cleansing Properties".

As for the crabs and mantis, these are a different story altogether.

[Tiny Tears]

Thanx guys...i think i need to explain more what i mean.

SAY, for example, live rock was sent to another country, and it took 5 days to get there, how would you know what the condition of the rock was?

It may be in a plastic bag, with a little water.

I imagine a high "die off" rate, but how would i know? Except that it would smell even better than normal, (poohee). Could it be made "live" again? And how long would that take?

Gouldian; from what you say, it is possible to make live again. Any tips how best?

Now, before i get warned, flamed or banned, i have checked CITES, and it only describes hard corals as protected.

I also checked with the country of destination, and i need to fill some forms in, but that is all.

This is a bit of an experiment on my part. Live rock is expensive, and the choice crap where i am going. Sooooo...if i frieght it, it might be an interesting experiment.

What do you think?

[Gouldian]

Actually all LR will have some form of die off one way or another but according to A. Calfo's book as long as the LR is kept moist it should still be able to support the beneficial bacteria. In fact there are some reefers who practice curing LR till all visable form of algae are completely gone before they introduce into their system.

Some reefers will introduce beneficial bacteria to speed up the process. For me, I just let nature takes its course since I will be cycling the tank too. So whats the hurry. ;-)

[Tiny Tears]

Thx Gouldian, that is good to know.

Having read a little more, it seems live rock MIGHT be classified under hard corals. mmm...i shall have to look into this more. Should be ok for a small personal usage amount.

[Gouldian]

Yup infact most live rocks are skeletons of hard corals thus the classification.

I know of some LFS previously importing them together with algaes and thus managed to escape scrutiny. But not sure whether they are doing that now.