learn the basics lol. yeah, i had to fight to get the specific gravity right in the tank before I went out to buy the liverock. I think the key thing I had to learn was giving it time to dissolve. Doesn't dissolve quickly like cichlid buffers do. I guess what's why salt hobbyists have powerheads to mix their water.
I've only got the liverock in so far, and already it's pretty exciting. Found 3 crabs, and I moved them into the fuge/sump so I can decide later if I want to keep 'em or not. And I burried a little pump in behind the liverock to prevent deadspots, but I know I'm going to regret it later possibly if the pump's impeller goes or something. You can arrange rockwork just so, and if you have to move a piece, you'll never get it back to how you liked it
what's the kH in your guys' tanks? Mine's at 200ppm, don't know if that's high or not. Increased pH = decreased margin for error. The tank's pH is at 8.3, and I guess I'll find out in a couple days if it'll go up.