Dense Rock

[Musho3210]

People say dense rock isnt that good because its hard for bacteria to colonize it compared to a porous rock. My question is does dense rock have more De-nitrifying space than porous rock? If its dense and its hard for water to circulate it, wouldnt that create more denitrifying space?

if true would it be good to get some dense rock and some porous rock and mix it up?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I think the main reason porus rock is much better for cultivating bacteria is not just the water flow (though this is part of it) but also that a porus rock has a much large surface area then a dense/smooth rock that is the same size. More surface area=more space for bacteria (and more water flow).

I'm not sure on de-nitrifying bacteria in SW I'm afraid I think its going to depend on exactly how dense the rock is. to a point it might help but past that point it is probably going to cut down the space available for the bacteria to a point that it becomes in effective.

This is just my best guess though and probably doesnt resemble reality

 

[SkiFletch]

to a point it might help but past that point it is probably going to cut down the space available for the bacteria to a point that it becomes in effective

In reality its almoast impossible to know if there are suitable anoxic dentrifying areas in your rock. Any claims as to whether porous or dense rock is more likely to have suitable dentrifying areas is likely based solely on oppinion and not on fact. If you do pick up rocks with dentrifying zones, good for you, if not, oh well. I tend to buy more porous rock because I know that it has more places for aerobic bacteria and other beneficial life forms to live in. And it costs less per visual volume (since it's less dense). JMO though

 

[Musho3210]

k, thanks guys