I'am asumeing the rock is just bace rock. even if it's not, yes it will have to be cured. To each it's own on the sand first or rock first. I've aways put sand in first, and then buryed the rock in the sand. as far as lighting goes, that's a good question. I've heard people having there lights on as little as 7 hours and as long as 14 hours. My lights come at 10am and off at 10 pm. I hope this helps. Good Luck! 

If your using all base rock, you are going to have to add either some live rock or live sand to seed the base rock.  The base rock will eventually become live rock, but it will just take awhile.  If you plan on having any sand-sifting gobies, put the rock down first and place the sand around it.  That way the gobies don't dig out a hole and collapse your rock structure. 

yes you will need some live rock to seed the old dead rock the reason people dont use sand while curing is because all the funk that dies off and contaminates sand therefore making a longer cycle but it is not all bad just takes a little more time to clean sand and try to have a much flow as possible during cycle it helps all the dead stuff blow off and get skimmed and make sure to watch skimmer it will overflow quickly during cycle

and yes the reason to put sand in around rock last is for support of structure as MO said

as for lighting i run my halides 10 hrs to 12 hrs a day and not needed during cycle

if you run longer it can possibly cause a nusance algae problem

after you get some live rock in there just make sure ammonia and nitrite is undetectable before adding fish like 1 or 2

Rock