I wanted to express my disappointment with the whole reef thing.

If I could, I wanted to express my disappointment with the whole reef thing. I try, everyday, to do the right things with my tank.

Whatever people tell me, I do. I feel like I am running around in circles and not only wasting my time (study time at that) but my money.

I look at these pictures of others reef tanks 500 times the size of mine (I saw Las Vegas' Mirage tank tonight--incredible), and 2.5 gallon mini-reefs that all look better than mine.

I am frankly pissed off and wondering why I chose this non-recreational hobby in the first place. If I could ask you a few more questions to make sure I am on the right track and where I should be. You said to not add anything in regards to the Kent Buffer--right now I am dripping kalkwasser into my tank, should I stop that too?

Yes - don't add anything... until the cycle is complete ie ammonia to nitrite to nitrate then do a 15% water change and begin to drip kalk and that all you really add providing you do fairly regular water changes ie? 15% 1x per mon

In regards to your comment about how loud your set-up is I started thinking that I could use the closet, that backs up to my tank, of the third bedroom in my roommate and I's duplex to house all of that stuff.

Could I make a sump and just connect all of that stuff to the sump and just have a return hose and an overflow box showing on my tank? If so, how do I make a sump?? What all do I need?

Well I really wouldn't go through the trouble for a 30 something gallon tank you should be fine with the setup you have. The person who has a similar filtration is located here

She has a 125 but similar filtration the tank is awesome. Her & I became friends and I've actually visited her, saw the filtration and shook my head is disbelief, however the tank speaks for its self.

(I did manage to get her to ditch her fluidiadisied bed filter though ) also be warned she has all images on one page so it takes awhile to load

Thirdly, how do I get rid of that unsightly brown algae that is crusting all over my life rock and sand?? Please tell me it will go away--I thought by buying live rock I would have this beautiful purple growth and all I have right now is brown crap everywhere.

That's fairly typical of cycling don't sweat it for now. If you wanted you can remove it by dislodging with a bottle brush

Lastly, like I said, I purchased the 57 lbs. of live rock from a company in New Jersey about two-three weeks ago. They told me the rock was fully cured and loaded with purple coralline growth.

When I got the rock there were indeed some portions of the rock covered nicely purple but other spots were white and I guess, dead. I e-mailed wondering why it wasn't purple and he said it was die-off and that the purple would be back "as sure as the grass turns green" to use his quote.

What do you think?? Is there anything I can do? Will the rock eventually turn totally purple?? How long will it take?

It may or may not come back as purple it may be nice bright red. IF the company is reefers Brian Griffin he is a good friend of mine and can be trusted. The white stuff is die off and is causing the ammonia it will comeback you have to be patient!

I thought maybe I was not seeing the rapid purple growth I was expecting? b/c there was no current through my rocks (I have them stacked in a pyramid style with plenty of cracks and overhangs) so I mounted a power head and angled it off of my glass to create some current through there.

Good idea or irreverent?? In addition, I have started noticing some white "stuff" crusting over the purple parts of some, not all, of my live rock. Why is that??

Is there something I am/am not doing to properly care for my rock?? The temperature is always between 76-80 degree's F and I run my lights (2 24" 10000K & 50/50) between 10-12 hours daily. Are my rocks dieing?

No. look.... here is what you need to know

1 add all liverock then cycle. Be patient don't add anything, don't sweat it
2 make sure you have a good source water ie ro or di water
3 make sure you have reef lighting min 3 - 5 watts per gallon
4 have adequate circulation tank volume 6x per hour
5 once the tank is cycled do regular water changes 15% 1x per mon and regular additions of kalk ie all evaporation
6 don't add any other "supplements
7 don't fall into the trap of information overload pick one method and go with it resist trying a little of this and a little of that
8 patience... patience... patience. once you have the first cycle then add the remaining creatures and then beginning the monthly maintenance THATS when the magic happens you'll see. however don't try and accelerate it.
I'd venture a guess you tank is under one month old maybe 3 weeks because it hasn't cycled.
Anything that's dead created ammonia that need to be removed by the natural biological process and what your experiencing is the magic beginning to take place. Ie -- a reef balancing out in your home ;-)

Your tank WILL look as awesome as others but patience and sticking to one school of thought is key to begin. One this happens , you will get your own *experience* as to what takes place and develop your own feel. But like everything else its a process so be patient

So I thank you for your friendliness in lending a helping hand.

I would highly recommend you purchase and read my book in its entirety. As there are other pitfalls that you haven't hit yet but are FULLY addressed in my book.

All these questions and more are answered in great detail, not to mention the incredible money saving ideas.

For $40 you will save yourself allot of aggravation and money

Robert