ok first make sure u tested the salinity of the water and make sure u have all test kits. if ur salinity is good, temp is good, then start putting the sand in, put the bag of sand on the bottom of the tank and then cut a whole in the bag and slowly and gently spread the sand out. then wait like 2 hours, and then start putting in ur LR, during the 2 hours u can try to start making the aquascape outside of the tank so ur ready to put it in. after that wait like 4 hours, and throw in a cocktail shrimp, and leave it in there for about a day and ur cycle will start, after that start doing tests about every other day, u have to c a spike in ur tests, so if the tests r off the charts then it means it cycled, wait a few more days and u will c the tests start to go to there right numbers and ur cycle will b done
about the cocktail shrimp: leave it in there for maybe 2 days, then throw it away, u will notice it start to rot in the water and wen u take it out boy will it smell so b prepared to throw it away while holding ur nose shut
always ask questions if u need answers
