Adding Plants to Aquarium

Question
Hi,

I am currently in the process of cycling my 20 gallon aquarium fishlessly with the ammonia method.  Everything seems fine so far, but I am only 6 days into the process.  I have heard that plants will help the process of cycling, but I have a few questions about adding plants to my aquarium.  I do not have the substrate recommended for planted aquariums, I have approximately 20 lbs of blue rock/gravel.  Is it necessary that I change/add the recommended substrate?  Also, I have noticed my LFS carries freshwater plants that are already 'potted.'  If I were to use these plants to aid in cycling, would I need to remove them from the pot and plant them or would the do just as well with cycling by remaining in their pot? Which plants would be best in my setup?  I also noticed the LFS sells the NutraFin CO2 Reactor.  Do you know of any information on this reactor as to how well it performs?  My freshwater tank set up includes:  Penguin Power Filter (Bio-Wheel) power filter with sponge, Powerhead, undergravel filters, heater, two air pumps for a ornament and for a bubble wall, and fluorescent lighting.  My temp for the aquarium is set to upper 80's (86-90) for cycling purposes.  Thank you.

Answer
HEy there jeff,

Well first off good luck with the fishless method i know it takes a bit longer.. but if you wanna preserve some lives... that's honerable :)

Lots of people add plants in the first part to help out the ecosystem.. they can be beneficial to any aquarium, if they are going to helpout the cycle process.. i doubt that it will help to a extreme where you would notice a difference because when you cycle you are just waiting for some beneficial bacteria to grow... right :)

First off if you are wanting to go the planted route you're definately going to need some substrate that is going to benefit plants that need nutrients.. and alot of them. Id suggest "red sea flora base" that's what i use.. or flourite, or eco-system, those are all great. Need about a bag per 10 gallons.

Next question: The plants that you see that are already potted baseically that's how they are grown at the cultivators... you'll wanna take those out of the roots are going to eventually rot out....

I think before you get into fully plants you should try out some begginer ones such as java moss, java ferns, vals, those are all hardy plants.. try those out first and give that a go.....

The reactor you're talking about is only one piece of a fully co2 system. nutrafin does sell a setup where they sell a canister and yeast solution and tubing (silicon you want) and a ladder.. that would be your best step first off with co2. When your running co2 then the addition of o2 is pointless.. remember that too :)  Your also going to want a compact flourecent bubl... about t8 or t10's probably about 55 watts 6700k


You really sound like your into the hobby that's great, but slow down... start reading.. and do alot of it, join a forum such as www.fishaquarium.org to ask others about what you need to know, they can surely help you at out every step of the way.. learn and read, subscribe to magazines, ask questions.. your going in the right direction just take your time and be patient good luck