We purchased more live rock a few weekends ago.  I fell like we’re getting close to enough.

Aquarium Oct 29, 2009

You’ll notice a big gap in the middle of the aquarium.  I plan to add a table like rock to bridge the gap.  You can see that I have some rocks already there, ready to support it.  Chances are, the table rock won’t be able to go in without reorganizing a lot, but I can always dream…

Mrs SaltyGeek picked out one rock in particular that is very interesting, and demonstrates very well what live rock is.

Strange Looking Live Rock

From the very thin faces to the small dimples all over it, you can definitely tell that this is not a rock from your back yard.  This is actually a dead coral, from a reef.  This is what most live rock is, even though they normally look more like a rock.  This is also why they make such great bio filters.  These dead corals are very porous, and are filled with algae and bacteria, most of which helps with the process of breaking down ammonia.

We’ll let these new live rocks hang out for at least a few more weeks before adding more.  I don’t want to risk harming the fish or the cleaning crew.  If the aquarium had no live animals, I would be much more comfortable filling it up with rocks all at one time.  But even what you think is fully cured live rock can have living things in it that can die when introduced to a new environment, thereby creating a spike in ammonia levels.