Dark start method cycling

[CA Archer]

I am just getting back into having an aquarium after many years of not having one. This will be my first planted aquarium, started small only 12 gallons. I have been watching youtube videos on a method of cycling called "dark start method", to me it sounds like a pretty fool proof method of cycling a tank as long as you have patience. Has anyone started a tank using this method? If so, what was your experience with this over the other cycling methods?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Haven't done it but have heard of it. I believe its more to do with allowing the active substrate time to settle and leach a bunch of ammonia during the first few weeks than it is "cycling".
Lots of ammonia can kill plants and create loads of algae, especially in a smaller tank. So, if you're using an active substrate that's heavy in ammonia, then it makes sense to fill it up, leave it to leach into the water column (in the dark so as not to attract algae), do 100% water change and off you go.

This isn't cycling though IMO.