Seeking advice for new reef tank setup!

I haven't read the whole thread but I can comment on "cooking rocks."

Place rocks out in the driveway on some carboard or something and let the sun "cook" them. This kills everything on the rock and dries it out. After a couple days they should be dry depending where you live. Put them in a box or whatever for storage. When you are ready to use them. Give them a good brushing while dry, a good brushing while wet, a good brushing while running under water, a good brushing while rinsing with DI water, then soak in salt water for a week or two to get all the nasties disolved out. May want to do this twice depending how clean you want them to be.

 

If it wasn't clear before.... Do not boil rocks!! lol just wanted to make sure. Like Dora says.... "so we can be safe."

 

I can see the confusion on the "cook" term. It doesn't mean in the oven, it just means to clean them and cycle them and to ensure you get the nasties out and off it. kstafford's advice is perfect!