1st steps after tank purchase?

[mrupallnit]

I haven't bought any books yet. I'm very much of a beginning person. After I get my tank purchased, what should I do next? People keep talking about LR and LS. Should I add that first to begin the "cycle" people keep talking about? How long will this cycle last. I'm just gunna start in a 55g.

 

[beaslbob]

agreed the patience is the key. It will take time to get the system matured.
to answer you question directly, the very fist thing you should do is establish plant life then the rest. that way you have natural filtration processing your system and completing the cycle. You also have a very inexpensive indication the system is ready for the rest. To me it is better to lose $5. worth of plant life the $100s of live rock or live sand.