don't read... got an answer

[fishwatcher]

I have my new 10-gal tank that I have posted about earlier concerning the stocking of it. The concern I have is this: I have a filter, plants and an ornament I can add to help cycle it. I'm going to make sure it cycles before I add any fish. However, at this moment I'm undecided about what substrate I am going to use (sand or gravel), and wonder if I need to have the substrate in before it can start to cycle it usingthe ammonia or if I can add it in a few days after I decide. Will it matter?

 

[rdd1952]

You should add the sand or gravel before you start cycling for two main reasons. Actually, the first really only applies if you decide on sand. If you add the sand after the tank is full of water, you will get much more cloudyness than if you add water after the sand is already in the tank, especially if you use play sand. Second and probably more important is that the substrate (and the surfaces of the gravel/sand) is one of the prime places that the benificial bacteria colonize. The tank would cycle without the substrate. It would probably mean that your filter housed a larger portion of the bacteria than normal.

 

[fishwatcher]

OK, that's jsut what I was looking for.
Thanks!!