Nixed the 120g idea and moving forward with a 34g Reef build

[returnedreefer]

A few months ago, I had grand thoughts of putting together a 120gal reef build but I (actually my wife) decided it would be too big for our living room space... However, I found a really good deal on a 34gal Solana setup that I jumped on and now I got the fever again! Here is a quick run-down on the equipment I have and plan on using:
- 34 gal AIO Solana tank and stand (skimmer included but not opposed to upgrading)
- BRS 4 stage RO-DI unit (with pressure gauge and TDS metering)
- TaoTronics 120W LED lighting system
- Reefkeeper Lite system
- included return pump (may upgrade to a maxi 900 or so)
- Vortech MP10
- eheim jaeger 150W heater
- refractometer
- test kits
I am going to go with 40lbs of Indo-Pacific live sand and ~25 - 30 #'s of Live Rock. (I am thinking about using a more porous and branchy rock to maximize weight to volume ratio and allow maximum flow for filtration)
Just got a few more pieces of equipment to arrive and let the build begin!
A few things that I would like some opinions on:
Cycling - Been out of reefing for several years and trying to figure out the best way to get a good cycle. I have been debating using UnCured Rock and let the die-off take care of it but the LFS suggested just using cured rock with the live sand and getting a minimal volume of their (LFS) water from an established tank.... Thoughts?
Im not planning on using a sump but I would like to utilize the 2nd chamber in the back of my tank for housing some chaeto or other macro.... Some have suggested some LR rubble as well but I think that may just create a detritus problem in the back... Thoughts?
Let the build begin! (Oh and ofcourse, pics coming soon!

 

[mr. limpid]

Sounds good so far.
Cycling - Been out of reefing for several years and trying to figure out the best way to get a good cycle. I have been debating using UnCured Rock and let the die-off take care of it but the LFS suggested just using cured rock with the live sand and getting a minimal volume of their (LFS) water from an established tank.... Thoughts?
UnCured rock may bring some unwanted hitch hikers. If you are buying your LR on line the cured rock will also have die off from the trip. If you buy LR from LFS all you need to do is ghost feed your tank or add a raw shrimp in a nylon bag.
Im not planning on using a sump but I would like to utilize the 2nd chamber in the back of my tank for housing some chaeto or other macro.... Some have suggested some LR rubble as well but I think that may just create a detritus problem in the back... Thoughts?
I assume this chamber is small I would leave the room for chaeto to grow out. You can add LR in your tank.

 

[returnedreefer]

Thanks for the reply! Reading through my assumptions as well as your comments, it starts to make a little more sense to just just cured rock. Even though the thought of getting hitchhikers is not necessarily good/bad, it is an iffy situation that could have tradeoffs either way.. Also from reading through some of the other cycling posts, I like the idea of a soft cure, per say, as hopefully I can keep some life that comes with the live rock!
As for the refugium quarters in the back, that is the way I am leaning as well.... Any ideas on when it would be beneficial to add it? Is it something that could potentially help my cycle which would constitute getting it in the beginning and is Chaeto my best bet?
Thanks Again!

 

[mr. limpid]

As for the refugium quarters in the back, that is the way I am leaning as well.... Any ideas on when it would be beneficial to add it? Is it something that could potentially help my cycle which would constitute getting it in the beginning and is Chaeto my best bet?
You'll probably get several different ideas, here is mine. Since macro algae lives off of nitrates plus other stuff and cycling requires nitrates ti rise I would wait until cycling is finished B4 adding chaeto.

 

[returnedreefer]

Beginning pics!