"If you are pulling live rock, sand and other organisms from the natural reef, keeping it in captivity using NSW for a month or two and witnessing the majority of live on the substrate gone... STOP IT."
No. Why should I give up my hobby because the predator / prey relationships/balance in an enclosed, very tiny space is going to become unbalanced regardless of what I or anyone in this hobby does. Keep in mind, I am talking about ALL the diversity of life that is found on a reef, not just a few corals and hardy inverts parked on top of some rocks, any basic idiot can do that now adays. Your statements show a clear lack of understanding in this area, there is just no way, anyone, is going to keep a perfect balance between the sand infauna and not have to step in with either reseeding the sandbed or changing out some sand to repopulate it. Same with live rock, with the multitudes of worms, decapods, tunicates, sponges and on and on, there is just no way you are going to keep each and every such possible live rock denizen in balance for any length of time. Toss in the assorted algae as well, add some herbivores, and you can kiss the twenty odd species of algae found on a given rock goodbye as well. A live rock is not going to withstand the near constant grazing and predations that a rock will be subjected to in a tank. and another thing, save the holier than though speech for the less informed / experienced. You know not of what you say. And another thing, why should I stop posting? If you have a valid reason, then it would apply to you just as well. Have a nice day.
Chuck
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