Live Rock and Live Sand for Optimal Water Quality and a Healthy Marine Environment
The practice of adding live sand and live rocks in an assortment of types to aquatic habitats has increasingly become popular among various marine aquariums. As aquarists and marine hobbyists of all skill levels and ages appreciate the natural beauty that live rock and sand can bring to an aquarium, they also appreciate the many ecological benefits that the rock and sand also provide. Originating from exotic locales, such as the South Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, the Caribbean, Fiji, and other areas within the South Pacific, live rock is relatively simple to maintain, once its curing process has been completed. It is available in an assortment of sizes, colors and shapes, serves as a beneficial platform for your corals, anemones and various other invertebrates to thrive, and also gives shelter to small fish. Enhance the beauty of your marine tank today, while also helping to maintain the water quality for your aquatic life with live sand and various types of live rocks.
Despite its name, live sand, is not alive, but contains legions of micro-organisms and bacteria that live within it as well as on it. When maintained properly, it can act as a natural biological filter for your marine environment, while also helping to provide cover for various species of fish and other creatures that dig, burrow and make their homes within the sand. In fact, many reef hobbyists consider live sand to be an incremental element of their reef aquarium in addition to having an array of live rocks.
Composed of calcium carbonate that had formed from coral skeletal remains, live rock has a porous structure, which makes it ideal for fostering various microscopic organisms and allowing them to colonize. As these micro-organisms naturally break down waste and convert the ammonia within your tank water into nitrate, they serve as a natural filtration system for your aquarium, helping to maintain a healthy environment for your aquatic life to thrive. In addition to housing micro-organisms, live rocks house various types of algae, which also help with the maintenance of water quality. These rocks also benefit small fish by providing them with shelter and hiding places, which reduces stress levels. Available by the pound, from as little as 2.75 pounds to as much as 45 pounds, live rock generally requires temperatures ranging between 72 - 78 °F. Bring beauty and natural filtration to your aquarium with live rocks and sand.
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