I want to know how u can distinguish if the rock is alive or if it's dead or not alive. Is there any difference in these two? I would like as many info as i could get. Thanks.

What makes Live Rock Live is not the actual rock itself but the marine life that live on and in the rock. The rock itself is just calcium carbonate of dead coral skeletons.

Now is the difference between "Cured" and "Uncured" live rock.

Cured live rock goes through a process which cleans it up. Also during the process dead things are removed from the rock, and is sprayed with saltwater to make sure the pest animals leave the rock. Cured live rock also cost more. May also have a shorter cycle time.

Uncured live rock is only cleaned with brushes to remove mud. It is right from the ocean and is usually crawling with life such as shrimp, snails, crabs, corals, and macro algae. There are also pest animals that can be present in uncured live rock such as pest anemones and mantis shrimp. Aquariums starting with uncured live rock may take longer to cycle.

Why does the cured status of the rock effect the cycling time? :)

Cured live rock goes through a much more extensive cleaning process which removes almost all dead matter, unlike uncured live rock where a brush is used only to remove mud and dirt. When adding uncured live rock to a new tank there will be alot of die-off which will raise ammonia levels, then more organisms will die raising the ammonia again causing the tank to cycle slower, versus cured live rock which will have minimal die-off only slightly raising ammonis levels.

Does this make sense to you Leema? if not I can find some articles to fully explain it better. :)

PerfectBlue, that was very educational. Thank you very much! I learned something new today.

Thank you. I have learned something too. You must really know about your marine STUFF! :lol:

It certainly does! Thank-you! :)

In your opinion, what is better? ;) I mean, what do you choose for your tanks?

I wouldn't say either one is better than the other, but each have there own pros and cons. Although alittle more money I would choose cured as it goes through a more extensive cleaning process so there is less dead matter, and you are less likely to have pests such as Mantis shrimp and Aptasia Anemones. If you want to save some money then I would purchase uncured live rock, although you run the risk of getting pests.

hmm, that kinda makes me want uncured live rock, just for all the critters... how bad of pests are they?

Well the two pests that will pose a serious threat to your tank are Mantis shrimp and Aptasia anemones.

Mantis shrimp are predators that will feed on crustaceans and fish, so they would attack and eat fish and crustaceans that are in your tank. There are also reports of Mantis shrimp cutting and breaking fingers of people that stick there hands in the tank where a Mantis shrimp is present. Only the larger Mantis shrimp can break your fingers, as I doubt smaller ones would be able to.

Aptasia anemones only pose a serious threat to your tank if they are left to spread. They will sting or kill corals that are near them. They also reproduce quickly.

Those are the two main ones, but there are other pests.

hmm, well maybe I don't then. I'm kind of fond of my fingers, and my hermit crab.

Sorry about this but, I just recently bid a protein skimmer on ebay and it didnt come with a powerhead. !!! He didnt inform it on the description. The model is a PS75 Odysea Protein skimmer. Where would I be able to find a powerhead? Thanks.

Is this the skimmer you bought?

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageA...PROD&ProdID=245

If so you can buy a powerhead that is made for the skimmer here:

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageA...PROD&ProdID=214

Yes this is a good site. Thanks.

Would this also work?http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441776808&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030059&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1143325929634&itemNo=0&Ntt=powerhead&In=All&previousText=powerhead&N=2

Or would it have to be made for the skimmer, that only fits it.

I doubt the Penguin powerhead would work with the skimmer, so I think your better off using a powerhead that is made for the skimmer since you know it will fit.

Ok thanks alot Perfect blue :up:

Things there are also at a very good price too :D How mauch are their shipping?

When you are at the page with the pump you will see add to cart next to the price, well click on it and on the left hand side you need to type your zip code in the space provided and it will tell you how much shipping it.

Ok thanks. Well IM just really making sure if the powerhead would fit, since the one that the skimmer I have WAS SUPPOSE to come with an odysea EX240. And the one that Im getting is an odysea EXP315. So would it really fit?

The pump looks exactly the same and has the same gph, but yeah it is EXP315. It is the only powerhead on their website that even comes close, so I'm guessing it is the right one. Just to be sure you can call or email them asking if that powerhead will fit the skimmer you have.

Ok thanks. I won't ask anymore question then :D :up: