Live Rock... again

[Stonker]

Ok, I've begun to setup my tank. Slowly!
I'll be buying the necessary components to begun maturation very soon (RO water, heater, powerheads, live rock).
Unfortunately, the lighting will have to wait for a month or so. My question is, will the live rock be able to function, and indeed remain as live rock without the lighting?

I didn't think so personally, until the oqwner of the LFS informed me that he keeps his LR in a huge tank with no lighting.

Obviously I want to begin maturation asap, so if I can start the process without the lighting it will be ideal.

 

[fraservet]

Live rock will function as a biological filter fine without light.
It is the bacteria that filter the water, and they are hidden away in the pores of the rock anyway.

The only problem I can think of is with all the nice coralline algae, and some of the life on the outside of the rock which will require light.
I would think that as long as the tank gets some sort of light - e.g. sunlight, for a few hours a day, it will be ok.

 

[Stonker]

Excellent Thanks Fras.
The other advantage is that the current base rock is seedable, so I should end up with even more goodness in the tank