If you read through the pinned topics (the ones at the top of the list) I'm sure a lot of your current questions will be addressed. And of course new ones will be born. There are a lot of little details that go into planning your tank that, may not "be a big deal", but they will help set the mood of your aquarium. What size tank? what substrate (sand or gravel)? live plants? and on and on...
There are 2 basic approaches to cycling, with fish or fishless. Doing it with guppies will work (I just cycled a 55 Gal with guppies) and there are benefits as the guppies can be a welcoming meal for your Africans when they get there.
It may seem like a lot but basically if you do a couple hours research, then tons of thinking, then another hour or two... before buying anything... you can save some time and money and then later on you won't be thinking... 'man, I wish I had gotten _____ instead of _____.'
Also there is another forum that is specifically for African Cichlids. Ya might want to ask your questions about cycling and setting up your tank here and your questions more directed at Africans in that forum. You'll get more detailed answers there...
Good Luck!
