Jeff, you are making this waaaayyyyyy more complicated than it has to be or should be.
This is a new set-up, correct?
Than why waste time, $$$$, and effort on all the micro-managing bullcrap?
Set-up the tank, filtration, décor, etc the way you want in the tank, add water and let it do it's thing, simple and relatively brainless endeavor to get a new tank started.
You most certainly do not need to pre-cure dry rock outside of the tank, especially if it's a new set-up.
You really only need to cure it if it is of questionable source and strong possibility of dead organisms, BUT Hey! if you are cycling a new set-up, that can only help contribute to the initial ammonia levels.
Also don't worry about testing your water every day, it's a waste of test reagent. Test it once a week for the first few weeks while cycling, unless you're really bored. The only time/reason to test daily would be if you are doing a fish-in cycle.
Cycling a tank takes about 6-8 weeks, regardless of what the test numbers tell ya, and about a year before being "established".
All the science at our fingertips is nice and handy, but please don't put all this hoopla over common sense.
If you are starting a new set-up, just what the heck benefit do you think you are gaining by doing everything in separate containers and incrementally????