from my expierence i think starting a new there always goin to be alot of cycling everytime you add new stuff, i setup a 8g bio cube for my sis i was able to get sand and live rock all cured for a yr or more transfered it straight to the tank let it sit a month then added 1 fish and some cleaning crew and that started another cycle got lots of algae for a couple weeks and then finally after 2 weeks that ended. so as bill said be patient and take it slow. your on the right track and there is no exact formula to cycle, just let it happen and be ready for stuff to happen.