A filter with good bacteria is sitting on the right side if you can see it. I am just doing the normal fishless cycle, by adding pure ammonia.
I would of put my substrate in, but I am waiting on it to come in. The water is a tainted from the tannins in the wood.. Most of that should flush out after my full water change when the cycle is done. I did boil the wood before hand, but its big & alot of of it so I am not surprised some tannins leaked into the water. I should see some nitrites when i come home today(i hope) the water has been in there for a week.