Live Rock or Dead Rock?

[vkuroczka]

How do you know if live rock is dead or alive? I know its "alive" when I purchase it from my LFS (its also cured there) but when I get it to my tank and it's been there for a few days, how do I know if it has all died? Just a question since I'm new to live rock

. Thanks in adavance.

 

[globaldesigns]

Live Rock is not technically alive, but refers to whatever it may contain, from bacteria to hitchhikers. If the rock you bought is live rock you should have all sorts of critters.
I have had my tank going for 5 months now, and I am still finding things coming out of it.
This is part of the fun!!!

 

[mr_x]

i think the term "live" refers to bacteria only. i don't think critters, pods, and hitch hikers have anything to do with it, although, your guaranteed to have some.
we use live rock for filtration because of the benificial bacteria on and in it, which helps process the organics we introduce to our tanks. it's nice to have all sorts of creatures on it, but it's not necessary.
it's live. if things die off on it after you get it home, the things that live will eat those dead things, and reproduce..and re-populate.
check your water parameters. if you see any detectable ammonia or nitrite...you know some of it has died off.