Hi and welcome to FNZAS :bounce:
A month is a bit long I would have thought but 2-3 weeks IMO is necessary, to build up the good bacteria in the tank. The bacteria break down excess food, decaying plant matter and fish waste into ammonia, then nitrite, then nirate. Each stage is better for your fish than the stage before it. Just set the tank up as usual, but have 'pretend fish'. Treat them like you would treat normal fish. (Talking to them may get some strange looks....). Or, you could transfer a filter sponge, from an established tank to yours.
Hope this helps