I did not cycle any of the rock. Yeah I love the rock.. as I said I have some of the old rock of his with the holes in it,, thats about one third of the rock,,, no frag plug holes but lots of holes for smaller fish to hide in etc and even provides space for pods to grow,, then the rest of the tank is the bonsai stuff with the frag plug holes provides lots of spots for the larger fish to hide under the plates.