Yeah, I had planned on getting 30 lbs, but it was super expensive at the lfs. Ended up being $9 a lb. Probably order some base rock online when I get back from vacation.

I read somewhere on a link that someone posted that putting fish or shrimp in a stocking and hanging it in the tank helps start the cycle because it produces ammonia as it decomposes. I actually have .5 ppms of ammonia today though. yay!