TSS before or after adding fish?

I have researched TSS a lot, but there is so much conflicting information! Do I put the TSS in the tank before adding fish or after adding fish? My tank has been up and running for 3 days and the water has already been conditioned.

I am finally able to go to my LFS today to pick up fish. It is a 40 minute drive.

In your opinion which way is best? Sorry for so many posts. I really want to get this whole cycling thing right.

I forgot to say that I have read the Q&A on this and Tetra says one thing and the person in blue says another thing!

 

Here's what I do when using SafeStart. I add the fish then immediately after adding the fish, pour the well shaken bottle of SafeStart into the tank. Worked every time I used it.

 

Before.

 

If you add the fish and the TSS at very close to the same time, it should be fine. A couple of hours either way should be great.

The thing is: You don't want to let the TSS starve, so you'd like it to have fish present to feed it. And you want the fish to be safe, so you want the TSS present to deal with the fish waste.

But the TSS won't starve right away, even without fish. And since you're starting with clean, new water, the fish won't foul it with their waste right away, either.

So you have some slack either way.

So all of the methods you are seeing advised here are fine. It's pretty forgiving. The instructions on the TSS bottle work great.

 

I believe if you add fish within a couple of hours of adding TSS, you will be fine. Like previously said, you don't want the bacteria to starve. I always add it right when I start acclimating the new fish.

 

Thanks! Going to the fish store now! Woohoo! Going to add the TSS when the fish are acclimating.