should i live rock Now or later?

OK, I was thinking of setting up my Reef tank, to day.
But money is tight can i put sand and some live rock in now.
And add more live rock later. I am not to worried about the time it takes to cycle. because i still have to get a good light and protean skimmer.
I'm just tierd or looking at the empty tank in the living room. like i sed be for not to worried about the time for cycle just don't want to kill the rock. at 8 dollars a # that is not a option!

 

If you don't mind going through another cycle later then no it won't harm the rock any to put it in now and add more later.

When you are ready to add more rock use dry rock. It's a lot cheaper and it wont cause a cycle.

 

yeam if ur ganna add more rock (like it did) i put rock in then about 3 months later added some dry rock...

 

now. u can add base rock later, which can be seeded by any live rock u add now. but honestly dont add live rock later unless u want a spike that can possibly lead to the death of a few critters.

 

Cool, i rely want to get things moving, it's only a 55 GAL. i know they say 1# for each Gal. of water. should i go with that or can i go lighter on L/R and just put more dry rock?

 

where are you situated masses? for affordability , do you have access to getting just plain base rock? be alot easier on the wallet that way.

 

Also don't forget dry rock will weight less that live rock of the same size, on a tank of that size it may not make a big difference but still you will not require as many pounds of rock. So cheaper. You really don"t need much Live rock to seed the dry either.

 

You barely need any live rock at all. If you have one piece with coralline algae it will spread to all the dry rock in time. The bacteria needed for filtering the water will form without any live rock.

 

Was curious so did a little quick checking, read that dry rock will gain 25% - 40% of weight when wetted.

 

Well i was going to put about lb of l/r in today and add 30 more in couple of weeks.
I just want to do this right Because the wife Is against the tank now. $$ on the tank now he,he still got to get a good light and skimmer.