Hello. I recently started up a 55 gallon tank for Brassy Minnows and added some floating Anacharis shortly after filling the tank. I'm no expert, but floating plants can help with filtration, by taking in pollutants, like metals in the water and just helping maintain slightly better water condtions no matter how far along your tank is in the cycling process.
True. I also think plants are good for fishless "seasoning" (not as popular). Where you let your tank sit and marinate with maybe a filter squeeze from another tank, etc. I like this method, And plants help. A small amount of plants is ok during a fish in, though, helping control water qual, while your worrying about ammonia and nitrite. But I agree with your point.
Unfortunately tanks don't cycle naturally. There either has to be a lot of plants to take up all the ammonia made by fish or there has to be a source of ammonia to grow the beneficial bacteria.
Well, what you said before @Essjay s post, was not a bad idea, cuz you CAN use ammonia source with plants, you were smart to add Val and THEN next day add ammonia. I will post later responding to Essjay, I agree, but have a few pointers on his message.
