Live Rock lose vitality?

ScooterGuitar · 10/31/2009, 01:38 PM

I just revamped my older estalbished tank (maybe 4-5 years old), odd question...does live rock lose it's contributing good factors over time and should you change out little pieces periodically?

Shane Hoffman · 10/31/2009, 01:48 PM

IMO no, unless of course its been dosed with something that would not be good. Imo if life is on the rock and its truly live, its a good thing.....

jenglish · 10/31/2009, 03:09 PM

It can get loaded with PO4 if there is PO4 in your water column. SOme believe that the pores get closed by encrusting algae and such but I think that is a load of bull. Encrusting critters is how it was made to begin with.

jlinzmaier · 10/31/2009, 04:13 PM

If a tank is poorly maintained, detritus can build up and become impacted within the pores of the rock. If a tank is maintained with such little flow that there is detritus filling in the pores of the rock, then it's also quite possible that the tank isn't healthy/clean enough to support the life of the usual critters that help decompose that waste. Left unchecked, detritus pockets can create an anaerobic space that could potentially release hydrogen sulfide if it gets stirred up.

Rock can certainly absorb chemicals like copper; therefore, I don't think it's too far fetched to assume rock can absorb po4. I don't have articles to show proof of the theory, but I believe it's a widely accepted concept in the reefkeeping community.

Jeremy

10/31/2009, 01:38 PM	#1
ScooterGuitar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW OH Posts: 1,034	Live Rock lose vitality? I just revamped my older estalbished tank (maybe 4-5 years old), odd question...does live rock lose it's contributing good factors over time and should you change out little pieces periodically? __________________ Political Commentary Not Allowed Current Tank Info: 75 Reef/30g sump/fuge, ASM skimmer

10/31/2009, 01:48 PM	#2
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	IMO no, unless of course its been dosed with something that would not be good. Imo if life is on the rock and its truly live, its a good thing..... __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

10/31/2009, 03:09 PM	#3
jenglish Marquis de Carabas Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 2,523	It can get loaded with PO4 if there is PO4 in your water column. SOme believe that the pores get closed by encrusting algae and such but I think that is a load of bull. Encrusting critters is how it was made to begin with. __________________ Jeremy Brown liquor never hurt anybody “Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse" Pierre-Simon Laplace I should want to cook him a simple meal, but I shouldn't want to cut into him, to tear the flesh, to wear the flesh, to be born unto new worlds where his flesh becomes my key. Current Tank Info: broken and dry

10/31/2009, 04:13 PM	#4
jlinzmaier Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Edgar Wisconsin Posts: 2,094	If a tank is poorly maintained, detritus can build up and become impacted within the pores of the rock. If a tank is maintained with such little flow that there is detritus filling in the pores of the rock, then it's also quite possible that the tank isn't healthy/clean enough to support the life of the usual critters that help decompose that waste. Left unchecked, detritus pockets can create an anaerobic space that could potentially release hydrogen sulfide if it gets stirred up. Rock can certainly absorb chemicals like copper; therefore, I don't think it's too far fetched to assume rock can absorb po4. I don't have articles to show proof of the theory, but I believe it's a widely accepted concept in the reefkeeping community. Jeremy