hehe, Tank you letter. Funny.
I have two comments on what they told you to do. First, I have never had a tank take 8 weeks to cycle. 2-4 seems normal for me. Second, I hate that petstores have people use goldfish to cycle a tropical tank. Goldfish have different care requirements then tropical fish, and when you adjust your parameters for the fish you actually want, you can send the tank into another cycle, possibly killing your new fish. Also, the feeder goldfish they give you to use are typically poorly bred and susceptible to disease, often leaving you to treat your tank and possibly force it to cycle again. Finally, what did they tell you to do with your goldfish after 8 weeks? Ok, end rant.
As for the cycling process itself, watch for an ammonia spike, that will be followed by a Nitrite spike, which will taper off and turn into Nitrates. Once the Nitrites approach 0, your tank is cycled. The fish store will test your water for free if you don't have a kit. Other then that, there really isn't anything to see while the tank cycles. It just does it's thing.
Rocks! I would refrain from using any soaps or bleach because the rocks have the potential to absorb it and leach it into your tank later. A good scrubbing under hot water should be more then enough. Personally I just rinse em off and put them in. Remember that Calcareous rocks will raise the PH of the tank water and should generally be avoided.
Anyway, good luck with your tank. The cycle is boring, but it gives you time to play with decor and plan before the fish get in there.
