Progess of my first tank

My friend got me into the hobby, so I just started my tank very recently. This is where I am going to keep all my progress for the tank, unless i'm suppose to post this somewhere else?
Comments, tips and advice, or any of you guys' opinion would be great.

I've been searching on craigslist for a good deal on a 30g tank/stand and finally found one that came with a heater (Rena cal top light excel 50w) last week. The stand was pretty beat up, so I went to Lowes, got some sandpaper and gloss black paint. I then repainted the whole stand and it looks really good now. Sorry I dont have any pictures of what it used to look like before but I will post pictures of what it looks like currently soon.

My tank was finally set up yesterday. I had gotten playsand from Lowes. Washed it thoroughly and filled the tank with it. Then I filled it up with water, and the water became really cloudy. It didn't setting even after 18 hours. With some research, I decided to get some polyfil from Walmart and used that as filter media. I also read somewhere that someone has used Crystal Clear successfully, so I got that as well. With the polyfil and the crystal clear, the water cleared up in 2 hours! Amazing!

So basically I am currently running:
-Aquaclear 70
-polyfil filter media
-Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Rena cal top light excel 50
-Quikrete playsand

I initiated the nitrogen cycle by placing 2 pieces of raw salmon last night. This morning, the water is cloudy white. This is normal right?

Here is a few pics that I took on the whim with my laptop: (before the white cloudiness)

@riverfishgirl Ohh okay. Yeah, the aquaclear came with the ceramic rings, carbon, and sponge. I was just using the filter floss to get rid of the murky sand particles that was floating around before. Should I change out the filter floss and just put in the sponge, carbon, and ceramic rings? Also, I was planning to do the Aqua clear filter mod with the two sponges and poly quilt. How do I go about putting the rings?

@joel.uejio thanks! I think the only decor i want to get for now would be a piece of wood in the middle. Then plant all around it and possibly on it. I dont know yet. But I read, i should start off with some fast growers to prevent algae bloom while I wait for the slow growers. I want to stock anubias, vals, rotora, some moss in the front.

Btw, I just tested ammonia levels, and it's about 1ppm. How long does it take for things to decay?

Thanks! I am planning to get some tetras first.

Yup, I am using the API master kit

**UPDATE**
So its been exactly 2 weeks and my Ammonia level is at about 3ppm and my Nitrite level is also at 3ppm.

I was planning on going to Marinedepot in Garden Grove tomorrow to pick up a 65w power compact light. I read that I need 2 temperatures, like 6700k for reds and 10000k for greens? So I was planning on getting the bulb that has both temps.

Also, should I get plants too? I have gotten different opinions about plants either helping the cycle or wont survive in the cycle.