¤_ 2003-06-03 13:59 The main purpose of the life rock is to provide n-bacteria filtration. The bacteria are contained on both the surface and the inside of the rock. It is said that if the rock is large enough, anaerobic bacteria are also present inside the rock so that they can convert NO3 to nitrogen reducing NO3 level of tank water.
Another benefit of life rock is that it contains various forms of living organism on its surface like, invertebrates and algae. It provides more life forms to the tank and it is said that by doing so the ecology of the tank is more balance.
A bare surface of rock without any living organism present can be considered as dead. But whether there are still n-bacteria inside is not easily observable. I shall discuss more on life rock soon.