Is Live Rock Essential?

[CurtisNorman]

is live rock essential? i want to know if i can get away with making my own live rock, ( i want to make some shapes, well i want to make a section of how i want it if that makes sence.

[mort82]

If you want a reef tank then i'd add some live rock to seed what you make, but if it's a fish only then you don't actually need live rock in there.

[steve-norris]

There is some good info here http://www.reef-eden.net/ On making and seeding DIY rock.

[the garden flat]

Live rock works as a filtration method. It has de-nitrifing properties and orgnaisms.

Its a must in a reef tank

[CurtisNorman]

sorry i should have said in the main display tank, the sump will have aprox 100-150 kilos of live rock

im planning on having an external sump (in shed) where there will be a vat full of live rock, then it will goto the sump then back to the tank.

thanks

[VapourMike]

It is needed but not essential ... personally id be inclined to make artificial rock structures and seed it with some real LR, is it not possible to build your base scape using LR and then fine tune the design with aritificial stuff so its a mix?

[Impossible]

I assumed it was the pourous nature of live rock that helped contain de-nitrifing bacteria, by making artificial rock using the cement/sand/salt techniqe you almost replicate the similar properties of live rock.

Having a mix of fake and live rock would seam to be best, as VapourMike says due to the seeding that it promotes.

Imp

[CurtisNorman]

well then what about if i smash a load of live rock and mix it in with my homemade live rock would this work ?

i had an idea in my head of how i want it to look, i have tried for so long to get it rite but i cant, so i want to make it my self.

[VapourMike]

I dont know ... can you not form most of it via LR and then sculpt artificial around it?

[simon garratt]

This may be of help.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/...cial-reef.html

regards