Sustainable Aquatics Cultured Live Rock

Sustainable Aquatics is currently experimenting with the inland culture of live rock for reef aquariums. A medium scale experimental project has shown promising results in only a matter of months. Under the right growing conditions, previously sterile (dry) coral-based rock can be colonized with algae, invertebrates, and other attractive marine life. Coralline algae is a particularly important aspect of any quality live rock, so we are pleased to see good coralline coverage in a relatively short period of time. An advantage of inland cultured rock is the exclusion of unwanted pests. Similarly to the way we are able to protect our hatchery-bred fish from disease, our closed inland facility allows us to exclude unwanted pests and hitchhikers from cultured rock. This is still very much a project “in the works,” but it is something we hope to be able to provide to the retailer in the future as a reef-friendly alternative to wild-harvested live rock.