Here's the rock during the seeding process. It consists of 25 pounds of Savii (mostly on the left) and 25 pounds of Fiji rock (mostly on the right). It should take 3-4 weeks.
This process basically involves waiting and monitoring, with skimming (more on that in the hardware page) and plenty of circulation. Rock is usually shipped wrapped in plastic, or even newspaper. The only water is that which it contained when it was wrapped. By the time it arrives, a lot of the stuff on it (that makes it "live rock") has died. Still, a lot of algae, bacteria, and other things survive the trip. The seeding process is simply to allow the rock to regain biological equilibrium. The dead matter gets cleared out in the process.
There is no lighting at this point. Some people recommend curing the rock without much lighting, because it can result in excessive algae growth. Light also slows the production of nitrifying bacteria, which you're trying to grow to cycle the tank. Others, however, feel that light is still essential during this process to maintain some of the organisms. I'll probably find some happy place in between.
The rock still looks kind of bare. There is a lot of encrusting algae, and a few small corals (I think) which I can't identify yet. The rock maybe was not as live as it could have been when I got it, and it's only been three months. The lighting hasn't been on all that time either.
The first denizens were the snails and blue-legged hermit crabs (about 25 of each). I don't have many photos of them, but here's one of the snails just after I put them in the tank. They were all clumped together... It took them a few days to sort themselves out! (Sorry about the blur.)
Snails clean up the smaller algae and other film, and the hermit crabs are good for controlling the larger algae (like hair algae). The crabs are also fun to watch, especially when they have a shell swapping party.
The next to be added were the six line wrasse and the starfish. The wrasse seems to be particularly difficult to photograph! Here it is with the hammer coral (Euphyllia ancora).
The six line wrasse is a very interesting and intelligent fish. They have been known to eat troublesome varieties of snails and flatworms.
The serpent stars tend to hide in the rocks until feeding time. I caught this one in the corner looking for some food. There are two in the tank (this is the green (emerald) one, the other is brown).
Serpent stars are good for cleaning up detritus and other matter, especially between and around rocks. Also they will eat up anything that has died.
A white burrowing star was added at the same time:
Where's Waldo?The burrowing star is good for stirring up the sand, and it's fun to watch.
After a few weeks, several more animals were added. Here are pictures of the clownfish, the cucumber and a shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis), and some frogspawn coral (Euphyllia divisa) (note the use of bubble gum to cement it in place):
Here's the small Tridacna crocea clam:
And a bunch of knobby mushrooms and hairy mushrooms, and a couple types of polyps (Zooanthus sp. and Clavularia sp.):
Next, a couple pictures of the midas blenny. He eats mainly small crustaceans and other animals. He likes to sleep in the mushrooms at night.
Finally, a true couple of goldenhead sleeper gobies (Valenciennea strigatus). Here they are just hanging out together:
These guys sift sand through their gills. Stirring the top layer of sand is beneficial to the aquarium, and they do a good job of that.
They have also dug a burrow under one of the larger rocks. Initially they each had their own, but once they discovered each other they decided to move in together.
