Proper Cycling techniques for marine / reef tanks

Probably the first thing you come accross when setting up a new marine aquarium is how do you cycle a tank.
Lets start with the basics.
You will first need to fill your tank; there are two options,
made up salt water or
natural salt water,
If you live near the coast use natural salt water - it is after all what fish live in. Just make sure there are no boats around dumping oil into the water when you are collecting. If you go down the salt water make up path, have a look at www.serenitygroup.110mb.com/water.html to see what you are putting in there.

No fill the tank and Wait! this process takes about a month, sometimes longer, do not put in a raw prawn or a sacraficial fish, the first will stink out your house the second is just plain cruel!
Now start monitoring you tank - check Amonia and nitrate weekly (at least), these need to spike and generaly take 2 or 3 weeks, as the spike starts receeding you can add live rock if you want(a bit at a time) again, wait. Keep checking your amonia and nitrate levels untill they are undetectable.
Once the cycle has finished, do a large water change and you are ready to start stocking - slowly!

Remember, things happen in a reef tank slowly, dont rush and everything will be OK