+1, patience is more than a virtue with tanks.
I've always used the live fish method, and not had any trouble, have heard some interesting stories about the prawn technique (p.s. if its about being humane, then 1 dead prawn compared to 1-5 Live fish )
I also use a live bacteria solution nowdays, dunno if its absolutely necessary but it gives you a bit of extra lee way.
p.s. they keep the bacteria live by putting it into a dormant phase, similar to anthrax in white powder form