Cycling is cycling is cycling regardless of the method you choose. The end result is the same. Quite frankly, I routinely cycle tanks with live rock and "fishless" without extending over the 2 week mark. My observations in cycling with live rock is that often the decaying matter is not tended to and a main cause for prolonged cycles.
Since "beginners" are being referenced, I find the cycling portion to be of great importance for young aquarists to observe and better understand the functionality of their ecosystem.
Since "beginners" are being referenced, I find the cycling portion to be of great importance for young aquarists to observe and better understand the functionality of their ecosystem.