Can I begin to cycle ADA Amazonia in a bucket? Then add it later to an aquarium at my convenience? Does it damage the "granules"? Are Malaysian trumpet snails okay to introduce to this substrate? I am concerned they may also damage the "granules". I am pretty stoked to start keeping some caridina shrimp.
You can - just keep on changing the water every couple of days in the bucket and swirling the granules around. Measure the ammonia in the water with an API Test Kit frequently and keep changing the water until there is no ammonia being released. This process can take a couple of months.