reef bones

[peachykeen]

Can anyone tell me anything regarding reef bones, ive been told that they are dried out live rock and to place them in water and they would come back. Is this true and how long does it take for them to "revive"?

[lobophyllia]

There is no way you're going to get corals from coral skeletons. And if you put real coral skeletons in a tank, they will most likely dissolve eventually.

[peachykeen]

not corals, rock, looks just like live rock, supposedly dried out

[charlesr1958]

For life to "come back" it would have to be available in the tank to begin with, which of course will never get near the diversity nor the spawning potential as in the wild, which is why it drives me nuts to hear peaple say that you can take base rock (reef bones) and put it in a tank with some live rock and it will become live as well, which may be true if your description of live rock is nothing more than algae covered rock with a smatter of sponge or two. If you want truly "alive" live rock, then I feel you need to buy uncured high quality rock and treat it as you would any other life form we put into our tanks. Base rock is just that, dead foundations to put live rock on top of it.

Coral skeletons dissolving in a tank? Not unless you are having some serious PH problems. How is it that live coral skeletal bases do not dissolve then? It still amazes me that after all these many years, so many myths still abound. But have to admit, my favorite new one is that the Ich parasite has found the ability to become airborne just like a spore and we are helpless against it now since it will just float into our tanks like dust....oh, and its even seasonal now also....lol

Chuck

[peachykeen]

Thanks, Im a newbie and Ill probably drive everyone nuts with questions, but Im nosey and want to know all i can before I stick anything in my new tank. Although Ive found some nice cave pieces of the bones, I fought hard and left them in the store.. Which is best to buy, cured or uncured, and if I get the uncured how long do I leave it it tank before its"cured"

[charlesr1958]

To save myself a very lengthy post, and to provide additional links on this subject. Here is my take on Live rock, but do have to stress this is my opinion based on my own experiences. Hope it is of use to you.

Live Rock and Sand

Chuck

[peachykeen]

thank you