Quote from: unicornmangle on Today at 09:21:32 PM

How do you find other peers to link to? Just got all my lightning node up unsure what steps to do next with it. im also running a seperate bitcoind with no outgoing besides tor is that fine for lightning or should i switch it to my main bitcoin node? i setup second one so i could use bitcoincore with wallet enabled.

You don't need a second instance of Bitcoin Core, because you also don't need the Bitcoin Core wallet.
Core Lightning has its own integrated on-chain wallet, but I know that it is easy to assume that Lightning's on-chain wallet is the Bitcoin Core default wallet.

As for finding peers; there is no real science. I'd advice if there is a service you (plan to) often use, feel free to open a direct channel. Be it a centralized exchange (although I recommend against using those, in general), an online shop or another platform you use regularly like https://www.bitrefill.com/.

You could also open channels with other forum members; just ask in here or here.

In the beginning especially, it is a bit of trial and error and you'll figure out which channels are never used (close them), which routes are often long & expensive (open direct / closer channels to the destination) and such.
There are also quite a few guides online, such as here.