Much longer . If you start off with nothing but dead rock , in a completely new system, without a seed, you're looking at 4-6 monthes. I would suggest getting live rock if ita in ur budget. Or at least get some to seed
That's highway robbery right there. Save that money and take a trip to a local reefers house and buy some off of them. Or head to a sponsors store, I haven't seen rock that high ever, even like 5-6 years ago it was like 7.99 or so a pound.
I would buy rock from someone on this site or craigslist. The LFS by my house charges 12 a LB. I got some just last month for 2.50 LB live rock with soft corals on rocks. Great deal because the economy is down and 2-3 dollars is the going rate I have seen.
I saw a sale at $2 a pound from someone on this site. Just look for people breaking down systems and posting it in the sale forum. You will find some cheap good stuff!