"Richard Reynolds" wrote in
news:gPFbc.50703$_U.23525@lakeread05:

Actually, this is a question I've been meaning to ask for awhile. In
my 46 FOWLR, I have normal lighting, but in my 7gal nanoreef, I have
PC lighting. The live rock in my nano is quite 'live' with critters
and worms and bears, oh my. But the live rock in my fowlr has no
such civilizations living on it.

not untypical

So would it be correct to say that live rock doesnt need light to
support its nitrifying bacteria culture, but high intensity light IS
required for the live rock to host a broader and more bustling
segment of the food chain?

nope

whatcha got in your fowlr for fish?


A juvenile Naso tang, a juvenile humu trigger, and 2 blue damsels. And
yes, the tang and trigger nibble routinely at the rock (all my fish are
omnivores now). But since i never saw crawlies on the rock, i assumed
they were snacking on algaes or something, rather than the active visible
life forms in my other tank.

So I guess they're seeing them before I do, huh?