Does algae help with cycling?

[VisibleClownage]

I'm cycling this tank and i don't have the lights turned on, and from what i read i understood that algae can't grow without light.

Should I turn them on to encourage algae growth?

 

[shwareefer]

Since the goal is to develop bacteria I would say no to lights. Algae become part of 'balance' once your cycled and adding stuff.