yes I have 20lbs of live rock with Coralline algae on it...running lights on/off every 12 hours. Getting 20lbs more of live rock this weekend with a couple damsels and gobys to help with the tank and should be on my way...
1. With live sand can I just use base rock for now? Yes, maybe 1 or 2 pieces of Live rock should help.
2. Buying bottled bacteria and so on is that a good idea? I've use Prodibio Biodigest with good results, i started my tank with it.
3. Is putting a piece of raw shrimp in the tank that benneficial? It's not needed if your going to use bacteria, i used 2 vials of biodigest and dumped a clown a couple of hours later, and added fish slow, one every 15days..