tank cycling question

So my tank shows up tomorrow, I have everything I need but the LEDs which could take another week or two to show up.

It is a 6 foot long 125 gallon. I am using live sand, dry and live rock. Can I cycle without light? I bought some nice live rock, id hate to screw this up. I do have my moon lights though:/ I figured I would have my LEDs by today....but stuff happe

 

Yup, you can start putting the food in without it. If you have a sump, I'd also turn the lights on in that before the display - to get the algae a head start where you want it.

 

I did mine in under 2 weeks almost, tanks finally starting to break out in diatoms. I had my lights on since I got it, used that live marina instant sand, water, and 30 gallons of rock, this was in a 29 gallon as well..I was also told by someone at PetCO(first off dont buy dosing from there) but they said to not do dosing so I didnt for a week, well I was actually corrected by a coral farmer here and he said to start dosing immediately, thats honestly when I started to see my tank take off, although the live rock helped immensely. I also didnt do this with any ammonia addatives, fish, or raw shrimp. Live rock is key. I've already got 3 astrea snails in there taking care of the alge problems, been there for about 4 days, I still have yet too see a bump in Nitrates/Ammonia, so my tank practically cycled instantly. I'm on day 16 I believe.

 

Yup, you don't need light to cycle. If want to speed up the process buy some dr Tim's bacteria. Recommend water testing daily till tanks is established the move to once a week. Then maybe once every couple of weeks.