I want to voice an experience and a question on the live rock vs dry rock debate. I started rehabbing this 480 gallon aquarium 2.5 years ago. It was converted from freshwater to salt, and I was tasked with making it a reef. The rock was all limestone "holey" rock and I suggested we remove some and add back some more traditional reef rock. The owner said no to the idea and we moved forward. I was a little nervous of the results, but here is the tank today. We have had none of the algae or dinos or anything people correlate with dry rock.
I have used limestone holey rock as base rock filler since the 90s but this is the first tank with nothing but, and I was admittedly nervous. My question has been to the "live rock" crowd. What beneficial bacteria come in on live rock that wouldn't come in on, say a frag plug. Some anaerobic bacteria deep in the rock would be my only guess.
Part of working with clients is using equipment or materials I wouldn't normally use. And I am lucky to be able to compare these variables and constants on different systems. I just wanted to share this unique situation.
I have used limestone holey rock as base rock filler since the 90s but this is the first tank with nothing but, and I was admittedly nervous. My question has been to the "live rock" crowd. What beneficial bacteria come in on live rock that wouldn't come in on, say a frag plug. Some anaerobic bacteria deep in the rock would be my only guess.
Part of working with clients is using equipment or materials I wouldn't normally use. And I am lucky to be able to compare these variables and constants on different systems. I just wanted to share this unique situation.