[lcstorc]

JMO, but you may want more than just the one rock to seed the DIY rock. The more life you add the more quickly it will spread just be careful about the hitchikers as you already seem to know.
I am currently curing/cooking or whatever some lr in my qt tank to get all the bad stuff out before adding to my system. After almost 2 months there, I found a crab an inch across just last night. Now where did he come from? LOL Apparently he is really good at hiding. I am so glad I let this rock sit since I do not want him in my reef and he will be much easier to remove from a virtually empty 20g than a 125g reef. At least I hope so anyway.
I love the idea of pasta or sand to keep holes in the rock. Great for filtration and if large enough good hiding places for the more shy inhabitants of the reef. Could even give you good places to place corals as you go along.
Looking good. Can't wait for updates.
If by sun polyps you are referring to sun coral, be sure to target feed them. I use mysis to feed mine. I have a yellow and and orange and both love the mysis. Plus it is really fun to watch them eat.