I personally am on the No Fish Cycling. I think it just saves a lot of hassle and money and goes faster. Plus it's not cruel to the fish and you're not stuck with fish you may not necessarily want.

If you really want to do cycling with fish, then I do recommend zebra danios if you're going to have a tropical tank, or the white cloud minnows if you are doing a cold-water tank. Both of them can handle the high alkaline water you have.