Plant debris in filter help beneficial colonise?

[AlexS]

Plant debris in filter help beneficial bacteria?

I bought a bottle of Tetra Safestart to help my tank cycle. My question is, I got plants for it today and they released quite a bit of debris. Should I leave the debris in the filter or clean it first before adding the tetra safestart? Will it have a positive or negative impact on the bacteria being able to colonize the sponge filter.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Delapool]

That's an interesting question and I was wondering myself Decaying plant matter would I assume add ammonia and probably some extra useful bacteria types (but the ones I'm thinking of would establish fairly quickly anyways later on).

Unless there is a lot of debris, I wouldn't clean it for a fish-in cycle. Too much risk IMO of disturbing bacteria. For fishless cycle, either way - it is just time.

 

[Fresh2o]

I agree with Delapool. Unless there is a lot of debris it should be fine to just leave it and go ahead and add the Safe Start. I am assuming that the BB in Safe Start need to feed on something (ammonia?). The heterotrophs will start breaking down the debris into ammonia.