Few questions for setting up a new aquarium

I've been doing lots of research and reading for the last few weeks.
My 240 liter tank should be delivered today or tomorrow so I'm almost ready to set up however I still have a few questions:

1) Is it ok to leave the aquarium dry while doing the hardscape? So putting the substrate and rocks, wood and so on (no plants yet). Is it ok to leave it dry for a few days so I am happy with the hardscape and I can change it without much issues.
Does that also apply if I have special substrate with fertilizer for the plants even if I only put the plants in a few days later?

2) When the cycle is complete (0 ammonium, 0 nitrite and some nitrate), do I need to do a water change before I put fish in or does the first water change need to happen after the fish are in the tank for a few days? Or does it depend on the amount of nitrate? If so, how much?

3) How long does a cycle take? I spoke to my local fish store yesterday and he told me it shouldn't take longer than 2 weeks which seems very short... Even if you use a product to kickstart the aquarium, it seems very quick. Most resources say 4 to 8 weeks...
He did urge me to check the ammonium, nitrate and nitrite so they are the correct values. He even said that before I could buy fish for him, I need to bring in water from the tank so he could test to make sure it's ok to put fish in. So even if 2 weeks is short,he wouldn't let me put fish in it if the water isn't good.

4) In order to get an estimation on how much fish you can put in the tank (I know... it depends and the rules are not bullet proof, but it gives an idea), do you need to estimate the amount of water your hardscape and substrate displaces and subtract it from the volume? For example, I have a 240 liter tank. If I put +/- 5kg of substrate in the tank and 10kg worth of hardscape, does that also affect the stocking options of the tank? As it would come out at approx 240-15=225 liter. I know this isn't accurate but it's an estimation.

5) I'm planning on putting a small pleco species and some corydoras (amongst others) in the tank. I will ask for special substrate that is suitable for them but I am also wondering about the rocks I will put in the tank. Most rocks I see in the store have some sharp edges. Will that hurt the pleco or corydoras? I'm also going to put some wood in the tank for the pleco but I'm unsure about the rocks... It looks great in a tank but don't want to hurt the fish...

 

*cracks knuckles*

1) Yes, it is fine, though the Driftwood might dry out again. Most kinds of driftwood must be soaked to sink.

2) Depends on the amount of nitrate. If it's below 20 mg/l you can add the fish and do a waterchange a few days later. Just look at the readings. Above 20 mg/l it's time for a waterchange.

3) First of all: That guy from the store knows his cycle. Very appreciative! Great failsafe to have a fish store guy that does that. It can take as short as two weeks and as long as 6-8. There are some other factors like bacteria introduction (be it from a bottle, with substrate or tankwater from another tank or with plants) or temperature that can impact the timeframe.

4) I think the hardscape, substrate and not to forget filters etc. only should be accounted for in smaller tanks below 50l in total, where they are often a higher percentage of the volume than in a bigger tank.

5) The rocks should be fine usually. If you are not sure, take a pic and post it.

 

Great to hear you have a local fish supplier that puts his fish’s health over profit.

 

Thanks for the answers.
Here's a few pictures of the rocks and wood I just bought...
I really love the wood piece.

 

Very nice

 

Those should work. Try to position them in a way that it's unlikely a fish gets thrown against the sharp edges by the flow, if you want to be sure.

 

Awesome! Can't wait to start working on the tank
I'm anxiously waiting for the phone to ring... LFS telling me the tank is delivered

 

I know the feeling when I ordered my 300gal the guy before me ordered 3 x 10ft tanks for his restaurant but the bank fell through so my tank builder got stuck with these 3 huge tanks taking up all his space so I had to wait till he could sell one of them to make room to build mine.
2 months of looking at a giant stand and hood was so frustrating.

 

Yeah, just got the call. Tank is in the store. Will go an collect it in a few hours

 

I don't think anyone addressed the part of your question 5) about the special substrate for the corys and pleco. I'd recommend sand for them. I like to use the filter sand sold at swimming pool supply stores. It's much less expensive than sand sold especially for aquariums. The "play sand" for children's sand boxes sold at home improvement and similar stores is still cheaper, but will require much more cleaning than the pool filter sand, which needs little to none.

Whichever sand type you choose, just make sure it's just sand, without additives.

 

Those rocks are really pretty! I'm sure everyone is excited to see how your tank turns out as it comes along!

 

You can use sand, there are many videos on youtube to help you with the things involved with using sand. I have had success with the natural type of smooth gravel sold at petstores. My 8 year old loaches barbels are as good as new.

You might consider getting sandpaper and going over the rocks and very sharp edges of the driftwood. you might also want to boil the tannins out of the driftwood to avoid sepia toned water. "brown water from the tannins won't hurt anything but I did not care for it in my tank."

So yes, the substrate decorations, the two - 3 inches of space at the top of the tank that you don't fill, it all adds up. you will have slightly less water in the tank.

The cycle is likely to take 4-8 weeks. Make sure that you have nitrates before adding fish. I don think you need to do a water change just because its the end of the cycle, but if you cycled with something dirty like pure ammonia or decaying shrimp then yes, do a water change.