Need your advise on new setup

Hi Guys,

Finally got myself an account for this web site.
Anyway my name's jim and charmaine (inuki) my wife.

Seeking you guy's professionalism to make my fish tanks looks more beautiful.

Ok, my fish tank 2ft wide x 30cm x 44cm in height.

Had filled up my tank with fine sand. about 5cm in height. And setup of 1 gravel air pipe on each of both corners diagonally. One of the other corner, I've place a filter with powerhead.

The water had been pumped for a week and I believe I can start to put in my LR and let it pump for another 2-3 week right? Also at the meantime I'll test the nitrate lvl every 1.5 weeks or so before I start adding in my LS. Is there any advice on this? Normally for you guys adding LR prior to putting it into the tank. Do you isolate and pump the LR for a period of time ? Pls advice. Thanks