Live Rock Lighting?

BobbyC

AC Members
Mar 28, 2004
67
0
0
Ohio
Visit site
I know FOWLR tanks are pretty common and fish have no real needs for high quality lighting. I have 2-18w strip lights on my 55g tank. Would I be wasting money to add live rock or will it thrive in low quality lighting?

If some life will thrive and some will not I would be interested to know more about that too.

Thanks
BC
 
There are several things that come along with live rock.

The bacteria on the LR is the basis for its use as a biological filter. No need for light.

Coralline algae also helps to consume nutrients, and covers the rock to prevent the spread of nuisance algae. Some light needed, but not very intense. Keeping Ca and alkalinity up help it spread.

Both of the above are found on all rock that is truly live.

The following are more like bonuses, found on some live rock, but not all.

Macroalgae. They're pretty and help with biofiltration to a small extent. These need significantly more light than you have.

Sponges. Amazingly enough, some survive shipping, and can be excellent biofilters. Or some simply die. Some can make use of light, others do not need or want light.

Corals can come along as well. Many need a good bit of light, others don't need light at all.

Anyway, you will get most of the benefits of live rock even with low light. It wouldn't be worth spending a lot of money on fancy rock with cool corals and macroalgae, though.
 
Thanks Dave,

I have a little rock right now and one piece seems to changing in appearance. I can't tell if the corraline that was on it is dying or if something else is growing. It looks like small (1/4" - 1/2" diameter) patches of rust. Doesn't really look like growth just rust spots on the rock.

Ever seen that before?

BC
 
AquariaCentral.com