i need help starting my new tank

[pjcasabar@yahoo.com]

had a couple questions?
how much live rock do i need to start up my tank?
i have 50 pounds of dried live rock and how long will it take to cure and have about 30 pounds of dried live sand how much sand do i need to seed it back up and how long will it also take?
how long do i have the tank running before all these rocks and sand cure up so i can start putting fish in it?

[ToddTT]

Best to acquire some live rock and live sand. What you have will function as part of your filtration, but not as efficiently as actual live rock.

While you're waiting for more feedback:

Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

What is Live Rock, Anyway?

You'll need to wait a while before adding any livestock... I think the link above gives you more info on this. I think it will be no sooner than 6 weeks, and only when your water passes testing.

[leebca]

Dried live rock? That isn't live then. The amount of real live rock you want depends on what you expect from the rock -- what you want to do. The link Todd provided will sort out the rock's function.

But if your rock has dried out, it is no longer 'live.'

[Steve McKay]

had a couple questions?
how much live rock do i need to start up my tank?
i have 50 pounds of dried live rock and how long will it take to cure and have about 30 pounds of dried live sand how much sand do i need to seed it back up and how long will it also take?
how long do i have the tank running before all these rocks and sand cure up so i can start putting fish in it?

1. Approx. 1.5lb. of LR per gallon.

2. Your tank will have to cycle, when the nitrogen cycle is over it will be cured.

3. Just a cupful of good live sand will do the job.

4. Same answer as No.2 maybe a bit longer for it to be completely alive.

5. Once you start the nitrogen cycle, you can add fish once your ammonia and nitrite test 0.0.