[MilanoMami24]

I am a young one just getting in the marine hobby game, i recently drained my 75 freshwater in hopes of starting a saltwater tank (FOWLR). I have been researching it for months and i think im finally ready to actually start. I am using 40 lbs of Aragonite and 40 lbs of Arag-Alive, both by Carib Sea. But i dont know what a "high quality" live rock is, or where to get it from, or how much to get. Is it possible to get a few pounds at a time, and just build my collection up, or should i get it all at once? Im still in High School so money is kind of tight, so any cheaper alternatives would be gladly accepted . Oh also i will be using using a Fluval 405 cannister filter,two powerheads, and i plan on buying a good quality skimmer once my tank has been running and i get some more $$. All advice is welcome and desperatley needed, thanks!

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

You're starting off on the right foot -- ask questions!

The best advice I could give is READ! Start with obtaining one ore more good books:
Marine Aquarium Books & Reading

Next get a feel for how much time and expense this is going to be. You can't be cheap about things. You can do several do-it-yourself items, but you need to have these things. For things to get and what you'll need, read this:
Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

Part of this hobby is to own and operate a quarantine tank. If you don't have funds to do this, I'd recommend waiting until you have everything you need and the money. Live rock is just a tip of the costs involved and it should not be added piecemeal. If you can't buy it all at once, save the money up until you can buy it all at once. But there is much to do and buy before you get to the live rock worries. If you want more info on live rock, here's more reading!
What is Live Rock, Anyway?

Although we can help with some of the details, we can't post a how-to guide. If you obtain a good book, read the above references and the book, we can help advise on some of the details.

Good luck!

[GoinSalt]

Check out Craigs List. You can usually find live rock cheaper from people trying to get rid of it rather than spending more at the LFS. Plus, it's usually already cured so you don't have to go through that process.

Just my 2 cents.

Nate