You can set it up whenever it is convenient for you 
Best to set it up before you get your plants, as you have mentioned though.
Best to set it up before you get your plants, as you have mentioned though.
If you don't have plants, then there is no real reason to turn on/off lights nor turn on/off CO2.So running co2 with out the plants is ok too? I assume with out lights so algae doesn't start...right.?
Thank you Dark.. I know that sounded like a stupid question.. and this was the answer I was looking for. I am so afraid of making a mistake that I feel compelled to ask borderline dumb questionsIf you don't have plants, then there is no real reason to turn on/off lights nor turn on/off CO2.
It would be a waste of electricity and CO2 gas, respectively.
Whenever you decide to put in live plants, you can start CO2 and turning the lights on.