In a reef aquarium, with the Berliner method, live rocks are active in biological filtration.

The amount of live rocks is calculated proportionally to the volume of the aquarium:

Generally, it is admitted to introduce rocks in proportion of 10 to 20 % of water volume, taking into account quality and density of rocks.

Aquaroche decors have a porosity equivalent to porosity of best live rocks and , once colonised by bacteria, can replace a great part of live rocks that should be introduced in the aquarium.

It is now possible to set up reef aquariums with a large proportion of aquaroche (new, that will be colonised) rocks et a small quantity of live rocks (to bring natural strains of bacteria and micro-organisms).

Usually, as aquaroche rocks are very light, proportion is brought back to 10 to 15 %; for instance for a 800 litres aquarium: 80 to 120 kg of rocks (total wet weight)

Possible ratio aquaroches (new)/ natural live rocks or cultured aquaroches: from 50 to 85 % in new aquaroches.

Introduction in 1 or several times of live rocks of excellent quality, to bring a good variety of strains (bacteria and micro-fauna).

Now cultured eco reef plates and ceramic rocks are available in France (Ferme de Corail et Tropic NGuyen). We have now 100% aquaroche aquariums, that work very well, without depletion on natural milieu.

You can find in 'marine water' pages information on conditions of colonisation and in 'last news' comparison of porosity.

List of weights of our rocks for reef aquariums.

Here is a list of weights for each item: fist column: dry weight (sec) and second column: once wet (mouillé) , for a comparison with live rocks.

Note that weights are approximate and can vary from one piece to another one, as products are hand made.

POROSITY OF AQUAROCHE DIFFERENT ROCKS - résumé

Sculptured rocks, les eco reef plates and ceramic rocks are made of different and complementary raw materials: one of them brings mechanical strength and possibility of creative shapes, the other gives porosity and lightness.According to final use of products, proportion of these 2 materials varies.

Big sculptured rocks and structures of reef system require a good mechanical resistance to hold the whole decor and ledges: the counterpart is that their porosity is slightly lower (porosity about 15/20 %); surface porisoty is thinner to get anaerobic areas inside the rock.

Eco reef plates and ceramic rocks are very close in composition, but we choose to make different porosities to have good anaerobic areas even with flat rocks. Ceramic rocks have bigger cavities, linked by fissures.

Average porosity of eco reef plates rocks: 30 % = good for bacteria and small micro-fauna.

Average porosity of ceramic rocks : 25 % + big cavities. = good for bacteria and a varied micro-fauna.

In terms of habitat for a good biological diversity, it is interesting to use all these different decors together in the aquarium. .

IN FRESH WATER

As far as fresh water and cichlid fish aquariums are concerned, criterion of quantity of rocks are more linked to visual and aesthetical notions.

However aquaroche decors are active in filtration and the rocks you will use as decor, will be very useful for maintaining the quality of water in your aquarium, like a sort of fresh water live rocks.

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