mr_X
Aquarium Advice Addict
Some people do...I never did, and we both came to the same result and didn't break our bottom panes. It's up to you. Once sand is on that glass, nothing is going to break it.
No need to have the lights on to cycle. And there isn't a need for a glass top with a canopy...if you want to have something over the water level just get yourself some egg crate to put down.