getting my first saltwater tank

[Cappuccino]

What's up mfk poeple's i am getting my first saltwater setup in a few days and i got a few questions for u.It's a 72 gal bow front with stand top lights sump everything but the pump the pump died about a month ago.The tank is half full of water some substrate and 30.lbs of figi live rock is the live rock still alive with no filteration or light?it is sitting at room temp by a window.Do i have enough rock to cycle the tank and how long til fish can go in?I don't know anything about sw fish i am a cichlid guy i know i like the wrasses and a snow flake eel are they compatable and is 72 gal big enough for several?I would like this tank to be a for small pretty low maintance fish/invertabrays because i already got a garage full of monster cichlids who need monster care. Anywho all suggestions are appreciated and hopefully i get some pics up for guys on fridaythanks

The best way to tell if live rock is Still alive It's to smell it. If it smells bad,It's probably dead.But don't worry,You can dry it out,Seed it with some
live rock And it will be fine.

 

[big train]

Well i got it set up and put some purple up in do u guys ever use that?Looking at the condition of the rock do u see anything left alive that would grow back?The lfs was out of figi rock and had some other type that was 8.99 a lbs and i will wait for them to get some more figi for 5.99 a lbs and then i know the tank will be seeded.I also got some misc parts with this deal sump parts and a pump any pointers on how i should get these parts in use thanks for your help.

 

[sprayin70]

Everything looks ok. I would take that air line off your power head though. The purple up is just a concentrated calcium supp. If you maintain your calcium and alk you will grow coraline algae just fine. But hey use it if u have it. One rule I have learned over the years is never dose anything you can't test for. Is that sand live sand? Also with live rock you want really porous rock. there is more surface area for the bacteria to ;live on. Please do not use damsels to cycle it. It's cruel and unnecessary. Just use a piece of raw shrimp for Kroger it will do the came thing. Once the ammonia spike then take it out. Be patient!!! NOTHING HAPPENS FAST IN A SALT TANK!!!

 

[sprayin70]

OHH Do not use any filter media in the hob filter is will just build up nitrates. You can use it but put a bag of carbon or even better purigen in it instead.