So how do you guys start a new tank (assuming you can't seed the filters from somewhere else)

I've kept fish for the last 5 years or so, and I think I'm ready to start an
African cichlid tank. For lack of something better, I'm thinking of trying
the 75 gallon recipe from
http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/cichlidrecipe/crp22.htm. The list is somewhere
close to 30 fish (approximately 10 trio's, which I'm sure will get juggled
around based on availability at the LFS).

The reading I've done suggests that a whack of cichlids should be dropped in
at about the same time, so you're not introducing new fish into someone
else's established territory. Makes sense, but how do you get the tank
ready for that many fish to be dumped into it? At an approximate cost of
$10/fish, I'm thinking that's a quick way to blow $300, not to mention the
carnage, and having to explain to the kids why all the new fish are
practising the backstroke. I don't have another tank established right now
that I can borrow media from, although I guess I could push my wife to set
up the 30 gallon tank, and hook my larger filter to it for awhile. Still
wouldn't be the same, though. Or even close to the same (but better than
nothing, I guess).

Also, what's the most economical way you guys have found to set up the
rockwork required for the Africans? The lacerock I've seen is quite price,
almost to the same price as live rock for marine tanks. Do you guys (and
gals) go get rock from local landscaping companies, or what?

Thanks for your input! Right now, I'm working on building the tankstand for
the 80 gallon tank. So at the rate I build things, I've got a few months
to think about it.

Clint