{"product_id":"life-rock-arch-xl-24","title":"Life Rock Arch XL 24\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne 61 cm span that does the work of half an aquascape.\u003c\/strong\u003e The CaribSea Life Rock Arch XL is a single hand-made arch, 24 inches (61 cm) long, roughly 25 to 30 cm across at its widest point, and weighing around 25 lb (11.3 kg). Like the rest of the Life Rock range it is built on an aragonitic base rock rather than cement, coated in engineered aragonite that reads as coralline algae, and infused with spored bacteria through CaribSea's AragAlive process. No curing, no pests, no algae - it goes in on arrival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e61 cm single span\u003c\/strong\u003e - one uninterrupted arch rather than a stack of small pieces, so there are no visible joins and nothing to bond together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbout 11.3 kg in one piece\u003c\/strong\u003e - heavy enough to sit on the base glass under its own weight without putty in most scapes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e25 to 30 cm wide at the widest point\u003c\/strong\u003e - the arch has genuine depth front to back, so it reads as a structure rather than a cut-out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAragonitic base rock, not cement\u003c\/strong\u003e - real aragonite with around 50% void space running through it, which is where nitrifying bacteria colonise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpored bacteria infused\u003c\/strong\u003e - CaribSea's AragAlive treatment, which shortens the cycle without removing the need for one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo curing and no die-off\u003c\/strong\u003e - dry rock carries no collected marine life, so there is no ammonia spike from the rock and no weeks spent curing in a bin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-made and one-off\u003c\/strong\u003e - CaribSea states dimensions and weights vary between pieces, so the arch you receive is not the one in the photograph.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it fit my tank?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe XL is a centrepiece, and the deciding number is length. Our rule for a feature rock is that it should span no more than about half the tank's length, so water still moves freely around and behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTank length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eArch spans\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVerdict\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e68% of the length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eToo dominant - it will crowd the tank and choke flow at the ends\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e51% of the length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe natural home for this piece\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e41% of the length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWorks well, with room for a second structure beside it\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e180 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e34% of the length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFine, but consider the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/life-rock-arch-mega-36\"\u003eMega Arch 36\"\u003c\/a\u003e for proportion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen check depth. The arch is 25 to 30 cm front to back at its widest, so a tank with less than about 45 cm of front-to-back depth will have it pressed against the back glass with no room to clean behind. Height matters too: allow enough water above the arch that fish are not swimming through the top few centimetres of the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne Life Rock XL Arch, 24 inches (61 cm) long\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximately 25 lb (11.3 kg) of rock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot included:\u003c\/strong\u003e base rock, sand, reef putty or cement, and any bacterial starter. Because each arch is hand-shaped, both weight and profile vary from piece to piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much other rock will I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn arch is the feature; base rock is the bulk. The widely used guideline, and the figure CaribSea's own Life Rock listings quote, is 1 lb of rock per US gallon of display volume - about 0.12 kg per litre. The table shows what the XL Arch contributes and what is left to make up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDisplay volume\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTraditional total at 0.12 kg\/L\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eThis arch supplies\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBalance in base rock\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 7 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 13 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e36 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 25 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e54 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 43 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e72 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 61 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlenty of modern reef scapes deliberately run below these figures to keep open sand and cleaner flow. Read the table as the traditional upper bound rather than a shopping target.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich Life Rock arch do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePiece\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLength\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePieces per box\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSmallest tank we would use it in\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/life-rock-arch-12-4pk\"\u003eLife Rock Arch 12\" 4pk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 cm each\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 9 kg per box\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/life-rock-arch-xl-24\"\u003eLife Rock Arch XL 24\"\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e61 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 11 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/life-rock-arch-mega-36\"\u003eLife Rock Arch Mega 36\"\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e91 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot published by CaribSea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e180 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLength\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24 inches (61 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWidth at widest point\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 25 to 30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 25 lb (11.3 kg)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePieces\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOne arch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMaterial\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAragonitic base rock, 97% calcium carbonate with trace strontium, magnesium and barium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePorosity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 50% void space\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBacteria\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpored bacteria infused using AragAlive technology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFinish\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEngineered aragonite coatings mimicking coralline algae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCuring\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarine and reef; also suits hard alkaline freshwater such as Rift Lake tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSupplier code\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCS03961P\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaribSea notes that these are hand-made products, so dimensions and weight vary between pieces. The figures above are typical, not guaranteed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePlacing 11 kg in one piece\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA single heavy arch behaves differently to a stack of small rocks, and it is worth planning before it is wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeat it on the base glass, not on the sand. Sand settles and burrowing fish undermine anything resting on it, and an 11 kg piece that shifts against a glass panel is a real risk rather than a theoretical one. Add sand around the arch afterwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck the arch sits on at least three contact points before you fill. If it rocks, shim it with a flat offcut of base rock rather than relying on the sand to hold it level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a bare-bottom or acrylic tank, a foam or eggcrate pad under the contact points spreads the load and stops point pressure on the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDry rock and your cycle\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLife Rock is dry rock with bacteria added, not ocean-collected live rock. There is no die-off, which is why CaribSea can say no curing is required. What the spored bacteria do is give the biological filter a head start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey do not replace the cycle. A new tank still has to grow a bacterial population sized to its stocking level, so dose ammonia or add livestock slowly and test until ammonia and nitrite both sit at zero.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e marine and reef aquariums from about 120 cm; fish-only setups where a single dramatic swim-through matters more than lots of caves; aquascapes being built from scratch; and hard alkaline freshwater tanks such as Malawi and Tanganyika displays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e tanks under about 90 cm, where a 61 cm arch dominates and kills flow; planted, blackwater, shrimp and discus systems, because calcium carbonate raises pH and hardness; and anyone specifically wanting the biodiversity of collected live rock. It is also not a shortcut past cycling a new system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rock needs no scheduled maintenance. In a marine tank the manufactured coating is gradually overgrown by real coralline algae, usually within the first year, after which the piece stops looking new.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlow detritus out from under the arch at water changes with a turkey baster or a powerhead. A large single span shelters more dead water than open rock does, and trapped detritus is what feeds nuisance algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChips in the coating from handling are cosmetic. The aragonite beneath colours in on its own once coralline establishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/south-seas-base-rock-40lb-18kg\"\u003eCaribSea South Seas Base Rock 18kg\u003c\/a\u003e - the plain bulk rock that makes up the balance shown in the table above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/life-rock-shelf-rock-40lb-18kg\"\u003eCaribSea Life Rock Shelf Rock 18kg\u003c\/a\u003e - flat plates for coral shelves either side of the arch, in the same finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/arag-alive-fiji-pink\"\u003eCaribSea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink\u003c\/a\u003e - live aragonite sand to dress the base once the arch is seated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/caribsea-purple-up\"\u003eCaribSea Purple-Up\u003c\/a\u003e - calcium and strontium supplement aimed at bringing coralline algae over the coating faster.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/life-rock-arch-12-4pk\"\u003eLife Rock Arch 12\" 4pk\u003c\/a\u003e - four smaller arches, if your tank is under 120 cm or you would rather build a series of tunnels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaribSea does not publish a warranty term for Life Rock. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply regardless and are not limited by anything the manufacturer does or does not offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an oversize, fragile item. The Australian distributor notes that because of the fragile nature of this rock, pieces can break in transit, and a 61 cm single span is the most vulnerable shape in the range. Unpack and inspect on arrival. A broken arch is still sound rock and usually makes two good overhangs, but if you need the span intact, check the box before it is signed off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big is the CaribSea Life Rock XL Arch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is 24 inches (61 cm) long, roughly 25 to 30 cm across at its widest point, and weighs around 25 lb (11.3 kg). Each arch is hand-made, so CaribSea states dimensions and weight vary between pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat size tank does it suit?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 120 cm tank is the natural fit, where the arch spans about half the length and leaves room for flow at either end. It works in 150 cm and 180 cm tanks too. In a 90 cm tank it takes up 68% of the length and crowds the scape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes it need curing before it goes in?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. CaribSea states no curing is required. It is dry rock with no collected marine life on it, so nothing dies off and the rock itself releases no ammonia. The aquarium still needs to be cycled before stocking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo I need reef putty to hold it in place?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsually not. At around 11 kg the arch is heavy enough to sit stably on the base glass on its own, provided it makes at least three solid contact points and does not rock. Use putty if you are stacking anything on top of it or if the piece will not sit level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill it look the same as the photograph?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Every arch is individually shaped, so profile, colour distribution and exact weight differ from piece to piece. The photograph is representative of the shape and finish rather than of the specific rock you will receive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs one XL Arch enough rock for my tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn its own, no, for most tanks. At 11 kg it covers the traditional rock requirement of a 90 litre tank. In a 200 litre or larger reef it is the feature piece and you will want base rock alongside it - see the table above for the balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"CaribSea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55293347397923,"sku":"CS03961P","price":499.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/life-rock-arch-xl-24-43203674243363.webp?v=1790235415","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/life-rock-arch-xl-24","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}