no way am i cycling it with fish in it... fishless cycle all the way... would you like being locked in a room with horrible air quality for 6-8 months til the air cleared up i think not... fishless cycling is the only way to go
Bet you don't own a quaranteen tank. Will also bet that you "fishless"cycled your tank then went out to the nearest LFS and didn't pay too much attention to the health of the fish that were there. Just brought them home and dumped 'em in. Obvious that you don't have the long term experience
of the hows, whys, the signs, what not to do, during any cycles.
If you think "fishless cycle" is the only way to go, better think again. I can garantee you that somewhere, sometime down the line you are going to have an emergency in one of your tanks. You are not going to be given the time to afford a "fishless" cycle. Learn now how to do the cycle WITH fish now or pay the price later.
I'm not trying flame your methods in any way.... do whatever.
I just have the experience of 40+ years and am a retired LFS owner. I've seen, heard just about every horror story about a tank and know that the ones who are set in their ways end up having the most trouble.
btw: I am "locked in a room (State) with horrible air quality".... Live in Arlington, TX and see what I mean. West wind blows all the pollution east from Ft Worth... East wind blows all the pollution from Dallas. Arlington happens to be stuck in the middle.