Starting my cycling. Do I have my facts straight?

[marvelfan]

Hey all,
I'm getting very close to starting my cycling. Hopefully within the next couple days I'll have my live rock and water in the tank.
I've been reading on the "best" way to cycle the tank and there are some different opinions. I'm going to go ahead and layout what I'm thinking of doing right now and please correct me if i'm wrong...
1. Add my water and live rock. Make sure I put all the live rock I intend to have in the system (about 1-1.5 lbs per gallon) during the initial build, since adding it later can cause ammonia spikes.
2. Let the tank cycle (with no lighting?), just my circulation pumps and sump pumps running. Keep the temp around 77 degrees? I've read that higher temps of 82-84 can speed up the bacteria process, is this true or myth? (possibly too dangerous?)
3. Throw a piece of fresh uncooked shrimp into the tank to spike the ammonia levels. My understanding of the process is this:

• 
  the Ammonia will be processed by bacteria in the system and produce Nitrite (Phase 1)
• 
  The nitrite will then be processed by bacteria into nitrate (Phase 2)
• 
  the Nitrate will the be processed out of the system (Final Phase - Fish ready)

So here are my questions:
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When is it ok to add the Clean up crew? My understanding is after nitrite reaches 0
If I place a shrimp into the tank, when should I take it out? (after ammonia reaches a certain level?)
I have a 30 gallon display and 20L sump (figure about 45 gallons of water volume) should I purchase live rock based on water volume or display size?
Would it be more beneficial to my cycling to use cured live rock completely? (versus half live and half base rock)
I am planning on having a sock or a filter bag placed over the input tube to the sump that will include some sort of bio-filter material. What is recommended for use, and when is a good time to add it? (before or after cycling)
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Thanks so much. Everyone here as been so helpful. I'm excited to start my tank (I'm obsessed actually, or so my fiancee says)

 

[bang guy]

I hope you get several answers as there are many good ways to cycle a new tank.
This is the method I have used that has provided the best long term results:

 

[bang guy]

So here are my questions:
1. When is it ok to add the Clean up crew? My understanding is after nitrite reaches 0
Add the cleanup crew after there is plenty for them to eat. This will typically be a week or two after the tank has cycled.
2. If I place a shrimp into the tank, when should I take it out? (after ammonia reaches a certain level?)
No comment. I'm not a fan of this method as it can cause an uncontrollable spike in ammonia. It's a popular method so I'm sure you'll get some comments.
3. I have a 30 gallon display and 20L sump (figure about 45 gallons of water volume) should I purchase live rock based on water volume or display size?
Rock based on display tank and you preferences.
4. Would it be more beneficial to my cycling to use cured live rock completely? (versus half live and half base rock)
Base rock if just fine. In my opinion the less cured the better.
5. I am planning on having a sock or a filter bag placed over the input tube to the sump that will include some sort of bio-filter material. What is recommended for use, and when is a good time to add it? (before or after cycling)
I don't recommend that. If you believe it's necessary for your situation I would wait as long as possible.

 

[njbillyv]

There are many methods and most are fine, except cycling with a live fish, that I wouldn't do. Here's what I do:
Put a raw shrimp in a filter bag and throw it in there for a day, I like to spike the ammonia over 1 ppm. Use the bag so you can get it all out.
Run lights for 5 hours/day during the cycle, keeps algae down while keeping photosynthetic organisms on your live rock alive.
Use half LR and half good base rock.
I've also had a lot of luck using Special Blend during cycling, but it's not necessary.
Good luck!

 

[beaslbob]

+1 with guy.
another thing to consider is using plant life like macro algae or even algae on the rocks for cycling.
If there is sufficient algae present right from the start it is possible even expected there will be no (or at least very small ahort) ammonia or nitrIte spikes.
Because the algae actually will consume ammonia over nitrates.
Sometimes there can be in initial nitrate spike as the algae gets its nitorgem from the ammonia and not nitrates.
then as bacteria build up and start consuming the ammonia, nitrates drop down as the algae consumes nitrates for nitrogen.
my .02