The microbiome and a health reef

[reefwiser]

http://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/unseen-world-coral-reefs

One of the under lying reason for the success of reef aquariums was the use of live rock harvested directly from the ocean and used in aquariums for filtration. The microbiome web in live rock was the reason for the success of reef aquariums. Over the years hobbyist have drifted away and using dry rock. But the microbiome of the coral reef can not be duplicated with out using live rock.

 

[Mebbid]

Is it really necessary to duplicate those methods? When it comes down to it, the primary function of bacteria is the breakdown and consumption of waste.

With our plethora of nutrient removal methods on our tanks, this function from bacteria is no longer necessary for tank health.

 

[Ghost25]

You are making a number of unsubstantiated assertions, and implying conclusions that are not even supported by those assertions. I'll start out by saying that I think live rock, especially aquacultured live rock is good and has some serious advantages to dry rock.

Plenty of people have had unsuccessful aquariums with live rock, you don't know that the microbiome of a reef can't be duplicated without live rock, you don't know that ocean harvested live rock duplicates wild reefs, and many people have had success with dry rock.