Advice for new fo tank

[dr_girlfriend]

Hello all! I am new to this site. I have a few questions about starting a FO tank. My plan is to put about 20 lbs of live rock, powerhead and a protein skimmer for a 10 gallon tank. Not to sure about substrate yet, perhaps live sand. As far as fish go, probably just a pair of false perculas.
My question is, what is a good protein skimmer for not to much $$$. Also what type of live rock to you suggest?

 

[mjvincent]

That seems to be a little too much rock for the tank... I would go 15 pounds max. For a 10 gallon tank, I've used the skilter 250, its a little loud and I would use a lime air stone to supplement it's skimming capability. It is also a mechanical/wet dry filter. I never had trouble with it...

 

[RMPD109]

I think the 20 lbs of LR is great. With that and a good skimmer you wont need any other filtration. Keep up with regular water changes and you should not have any problems. Definately use sand as a substrate ascc will lead to high nitrates. Check out www.liverocks.com they are a site sponser and have great LR

 

[dr_girlfriend]

Liverocks.com has beautiful rocks, but the shipping costs more than the rocks! Anyone know of a good place in California to get some good [acronym="Live rock"]LR[/acron
"edit"
It seems there are a few places selling mainly figi. also toga, haiti, and alor

 

[RMPD109]

For me even with shipping the cost is cheaper than local LR. The LR around here is pretty dead anyway so it is worth the wait and shipping costs

 

[dr_girlfriend]

well, its about $8 a pound through liverocks.com with shipping. I would be a little nervous buying uncured rock though. I have never attempted it before, and would hate to screw up $200 in rock

 

[Phyl]

The rock from LR.com doesn't need to be cured, especially if you're adding it into a tank that you're cycling anyway. You'll probably need to add a raw shrimp to really kick start a cycle with it. They do a great job picking, packing and shipping the rock. Sounds scary, but it really isn't. Their Keys rock is exceptionally beautiful and well worth it.