15 Gallon Tank Cycling w/ live bacteria & one other question

[Georgie Girl]

Hi, folks.

1. I got live nitrifying bacteria from the LFS today. (Here's a picture.) Is the procedure for fishless cycling the same with live bacteria as without?

2. Does it matter what goes in first - substrate or water? My substrate is Carib Sea Eco-Complete for a planted tank.

I've read a few threads about cycling with live bacteria, but none of them seems to answer my specific question. (Maybe I didn't look hard enough.)

 

[Azedenkae]

1. Yes.
2. Either/or works. I tend to put substrate in first, just to make sure I did not add too much water.

But yes, cycling is the same either way.

 

[Flyfisha]

Yes using bottled bacteria makes no difference in the routine required.
It may make no difference at all or it might help by having had some of the correct bacteria strain when the bottle was sealed without oxygen , food or heat months ago. Some say the bacteria can go dormant without those things that are otherwise needed to keep it alive. Some bottled bacteria is not the correct strain at all .

Just replying to say don’t forget the conditioner and the ammonia.

 

[Georgie Girl]

Yes using bottled bacteria makes no difference in the routine required.
It may make no difference at all or it might help by having had some of the correct bacteria strain when the bottle was sealed without oxygen , food or heat months ago. Some say the bacteria can go dormant without those things that are otherwise needed to keep it alive. Some bottled bacteria is not the correct strain at all .

Just replying to say don’t forget the conditioner and the ammonia.

Thank you, Flyfisha.

1. Yes.
2. Either/or works. I tend to put substrate in first, just to make sure I did not add too much water.

But yes, cycling is the same either way.

Thank you, Azedenkae.