Live Rock Coraline Algae Impact

[gnashty]

Want to see what the concensus is on completely coraline crusted live rock. Yes, it looks great but does it prohibit biological filtration?

talk amongst yourselves.....

 

[lilrobb]

Ahh, good question - never thought about that side effect...

 

[jead85]

How could you test this..

 

[seth the wine guy]

I think there are so many different possible arguments but I feel there is one that simplifies it. We strive to achieve a perfect replica of an ocean reef within our small enclosures. We do everything we can to do an elaborate balancing act among many different types of symbiotic organisms. Considering that close to 100% of the rocky stubstrata of any natural reef is covered in coraline I think the benefits outweigh any down side.
Plus, not all of the rock in your tank is covered with coraline. Bottoms, backs, and sides that butt up to other rocks. This still leaves a very porous chunk of rock that's available to micro organisms.
Bottom line, if there's anyone who's concerned about their live rock having too much coraline, I'm happy to trade them for some freshly bleached,porous rock.:yes:
Disclaimer- I don't know much about the whole reef keeping world yet. I'm basing this all on what's logical given what I know about biology and physics.

 

[gnashty]

I know there are several ways to go with this but for the sake of keeping it simple. Does a rock that is fully crusted in coraline (other than the bottom that gets no light) vs the same rock that has zero coraline has less biological filtration capabilities? Thinking of it logically I would say yes, biologicaly I have no idea..

 

[lilrobb]

Logically I think a rock with all his pores clogged is worse as the same rock with open pores.