thejon
Reefing newb
I'm having a really hard time finding consensus on this. I know that, generally speaking, the nitrifying bacteria make up a large part of what makes the rock "live", but I've read a number of things about worms, crustaceans, stars, etc.
Are those other things desirable; recommended; required? Are they considered "extras" if they show up in my live rock, or should I expect that whatever I purchase includes life like that? Are some super common? Should I expect that if I have "positive" hitchhikers, I will also have to deal with "negative" ones too? If they do come with the rock, will they multiply and spread to my dry rock over time like the bacteria does, or are their numbers more limited?
Thanks!
Are those other things desirable; recommended; required? Are they considered "extras" if they show up in my live rock, or should I expect that whatever I purchase includes life like that? Are some super common? Should I expect that if I have "positive" hitchhikers, I will also have to deal with "negative" ones too? If they do come with the rock, will they multiply and spread to my dry rock over time like the bacteria does, or are their numbers more limited?
Thanks!