Live Rock, what is it by definition?

[R2Dn00b]

Can someone give me a simple definition of

a) What classes a rock as live?
b) How do you make non live rock live?

I know this sounds rediculous, but I am not gunna start to pretend that I can define it!!

[gman0526]

Live rocks are pieces of (duh!!!) rock that have life on them. Life be it algae, corals, bacteria, copepods, worms. These organisms are the ones that help the aquarium's natural cycles to take place.

As to how to make a "dead rock" live. You could "seed" it by placing it in an established aquarium, after a while all those little organisms that we mentioned b4 will populate the new rock making it live.

Is very important that b4 placing a "dead rock" in any aquarium you cure it to make sure that no dangerous toxins are released into the aquarium.

[cruzeoc]

live rock is porus rock with lots of goodness from the ocean witch is very very good for the eco of your tank and you will discover new life if you buy good rock and to make live rock can take a long time changes with everytank (thats what i found out) but a piece i have has just started to groe some lovely stuff on it including anemones all you have to do is put the non live in there and wait

[R2Dn00b]

lol my first post sounded so dumb!!

:) :)

I am of course starting out the process of my research into the keeping of marine fish (tropical fish seems childs play in comparison) so I am trying to grasp the concept of commonly used terms that I can't seem to be able to define. I of course don't want to start using words or terms that I am not 100% on.

Ok so really live rock is a bit of pot luck? You could place a piece in the aquarium and something magical grows on it? Or absolutely bugger all?

[cruzeoc]

bingo you got it :)

[MikeS]

in a very basic, bare bones sense.....it's the bacteria that make the live rock "live"....of course high quality LR will also have detrivores, scavengers, coralline, maybe some macro algae and coral growth....

Mike

[jman785]

Coralline is what you want to be growing, its what colors your tank up, besides corals. :)