Live rock is essential for both creating a beautiful aquascape and supporting a healthy biological filtration system. In order to achieve a natural appearance and performance, it is crucial to use high-quality dry base rock as the foundation for the live rock. This base rock should mimic the natural structure that corals thrive on in the wild, as it is primarily composed of calcium carbonate skeletons left behind by previous coral inhabitants. Interestingly, the majority of coral reefs are actually made up of this base rock, with a thin layer of living corals on the surface. With its small pockets and tiny pores, this type of base rock can harbor a variety of beneficial organisms, including nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria and copepods.
