Cycling a Tank

[bodega style]

I decided with a long break im finally ready to get back into the hobby.
Its been a long time so i wanna make sure i do everything right and any help is greatfully appreciated. I m gunna be starting a 75 gallon tank looking to use sand as a substrate not sure which filter to go with either 2 large aquaclear hang on filters or a canister filter. Not really sure what type of fish im gunna put in there was thinking of doing one or two ca chiclids. Would like to use some drift wood and rocks, wondering if there are preperations for drift wood since ive only used drift wood before givin to me by a friends established tank. I also was wondering what fish to use to cycle a tank of this size or if i should take another approach on cycling ?
Any help is greatfully appreciated

 

[joel.uejio]

Cool -- here are my suggestions:

Sand is good
AC110 + Canister would be good filtration
2 CA cichlids could be a problem -- the tougher one will pound on the weaker one non-stop. I think better to do 1 or 3-4, although depends a lot on which cichlid.
You can soak the wood in warm water before adding to leach out the tannins
Would suggest using established sand / filter media from your friends' tanks to cycle.

Good luck!

 

[bodega style]

sounds good thank you. How long should i let the drift wood soak? and for a 75 i dont wanna crap it up was thinking a single oscar or a dempsey and a green terror with a couple of little dither fish .