New 75 gal tank setup

[tricksterpup]

Ok, I have been doing this for awhile but wanted to pass this along and see what everyone has to say. I currently have a 75 gallon seaclear system II with a wet/dry system in the back, that has been sitting dry in the basement for the past 6 months.
I have just ordered a stand for the tank and have the pc lights for it.
I am thinking on buying 75 pounds of live rock for the tank and placing another 25 pounds of base rock below that.
For my substrate, I am wanting 50 pounds of live sand along with another 30 of southdown play sand added to that mix. Now with the live sand and live rock, i will not need to add any cocktail shrimp to get it cycled, is this correct?
Now about a month of having this tank cycle and go through its process, I was hoping to order some Macro Alage from IPSF but can this step be done earlier? Will the tank need to be fully cycled to add the Macro? Can I add macro before the tank is cycled? I know with FW, The plants will help with the cycling process, does the same go for a reef setup?
I am also planning on using the wet/dry section as refugium for some macro alage and a safe haven for amphipods.
I have ran a reef tank before, it just has been a long time since I had one setup. :) Any help will be appreciated.
jim

[OrionGirl]

If you buy uncured rock, you'll need to monitor the spikes as some of the life will in fact be dead and rotting. With cured live rock, it's pretty well an immediately established tank--as long as you monitor, or stock fish slowly. Macro algae will work the same way, and can be added to a cycling tank. I'd reverse the ratio on the live sand/play sand, but I'm cheap. I prefer spending money on rock and activator kits--much of the live sand is not cared for properly, and doesn't contain much life, just lots of potential. Play sand has the same potential, IMB.

[tricksterpup]

Thanks OG,
I do plan on taking this slowly. When I do place fish, I want to monitor everything and make sure it is safe and happy for them. And yes, I will do the reversal with the sand to save money in the long run. :) I probably will save that money and go to IPSF and order some worms and critters from that site for my sand.

jim