are there additives needed for maintaining LR?

[sharkguy32]

hi,
I just started adding live rock to my fish only tank and I wanted to know if there are any additives or chemicals required to maintain the live rock?
Thanks!

 

[lion-fish]

yes, Calcium.

 

[fish fry]

You'll also want to make sure to keep you alkalinity up.
Fish fry

 

[ironreef]

whatdaya mean? calcium and alk will keep the coralinne growing. But keeping live rock live = bugs and bacteria= thats what makes it LR. The waste from the fish will feed the bacteria on the LR. There isn't anything special especially any snake oil

 

[mr . salty]

I agree,Nothing special has ever been added to my tank,and my live rock looks great.The purple,and red coraline is spreading like crazy...

 

[fish fry]

Sorry, I took "maintain the live rock" to mean what does he have to do to keep it lookin the same ie. coralline algae. As far as the bugs and bacteria, just like Ironreef said, they are pretty much self-suficent once the tank is up and running.
MR. Salty - You use no additives at all? You get enough calcium from just water changes? Do you even monitor your Ca level?
Thanks
Tom
[ October 28, 2001: Message edited by: Fish Fry ]
[ October 28, 2001: Message edited by: Fish Fry ]