What is live rock, it is a misconception that the rock itself is alive. What makes it live rock, are the many forms of micro and macroscopic marine life that live on and inside of it. The rock itself is only made up of the calcium carbonate skeletons of long dead Corals, or other calcareous organisms. There are different types of live rock like, Fiji Rock, Kailini Rock, Marshall Island Live Rock, Tonga Branch Live Rock, Totoka Live Rock, Deco Live Rock, and much more. Live rock becomes the main biological nitrification base or biological filter of a saltwater aquarium, while at the same time enhances the look of the aquarium and provides shelter for the inhabitants. The use of live rock immediately introduces into the aquarium numerous algae, bacteria and small invertebrates all of which contribute to the overall quality of the aquarium water. Live rock has just as much, if not more, surface area for bacteria than a trickle filter. Since live rock in the aquarium contains various types of bacteria, algae and corals, waste products such as ammonia, nitrate and phosphate can have a number of fates. Ammonia, nitrate and phosphate are readily assimilated by algae and photosynthetic Corals growing on and in the rock. Ammonia can also be quickly converted into nitrate by the bacteria on and in the rock. This nitrate can be either absorbed by the algae and corals, or it can be denitrified by bacteria in close proximity to the nitrate producing bacteria.

Live aragonite sand is natural reef coral sand that is collected live from the ocean, ornon-living coral sand that is cultured to make it live. What makes it live is the microscopic biological bacteria that grows on it, and the many tiny crustaceans and other micro and macro- organisms that reside in it. Live aragonite sand can serve as the main base for biological filtration in a saltwater aquarium, while the organisms help consume organic matter in the Live sand bed. Some of the organisms provide a natural food source for many aquarium inhabitants as well. There are many types of sand to choose from like, CaribSea Aragamax, Seafloof Special Grade, Florida Crushed Coral, and much more. but sand of coral origin, such as coral sand, reef sand, crushed coral, or aragonite are best. One top choice of many expert aquarists is aragonite by CaribSea. Sand sources other than aragonite types will most likely have silicates in them, which is something you do not want in your aquarium. Silicates cause algae problems, and once introduced are next to impossible to remove.