Small tournament questions

Well my first post so be gentle [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]
I play alot of tournament(only limit) with 100 upp to 200 people in em. I need some guidelines or just some coments if my main strategi is of.
I play super thight just hands from 2 first grupps. But there is a problem with this couse even the best hand looses and if you loose 2-3 good hand your stack is low. Should I still be thight or go crazy. this maight happen at level 4.
And when is the time to start loosen upp? At witch level? Iv been at the final table several times but not latley so Im getting worried that my play is not so good. And I se alot of people playing maniac style and it seem to work.
Think I need some guidelines..