Cured Live Rock

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by prospero31

... Is it aesthetic? ...

Yup.

Originally Posted by prospero31

... Is it because there is a degree of likelihood that you are able to get unexpected beneficial organisms in your tank. ...

More for the expected microorganisms, but alot of the unexpected organisms are pretty cool and beneficial.
Also, Live Rock isn't actually rock. It's dead coral rubble. Therefore it helps provide calcium, maintain pH, and (if I'm not mistaken) helps with the alkalinity too. (Still have to read up on the details, again, of all the chemistry of this hobby).

Cheers,