starting new tank

[CHEEZY]

Hey I'm just starting to set up an emergency tank and was wondering would it be beneficial to add a couple fake plants from my nearly cycled tank to help the cycling. I wasn't to sure because its not quite done cycling yet

 

[Sambo7475]

the fake plants won't help a lot, I would take a small portion of the media from the filter, it will help speed up the cycle in your tank, but won't "instantly" cycle it like a piece from a fully cycled tank would.
The beneficial bacteria do live on all the surfaces in a tank, but the greatest concentration of them is in your filter media.

 

[CHEEZY]

Alright thank you very much will do. My first tank I set up without doing to much reading I was upset when I found out I should of done a fishless cycle. Now I'm excited to try a fishless cycle with this one.

 

[Sambo7475]

it's ok to do a fish-in cycle, there are benefits to both. I personally did a fish in cycle with my 55 gallon last fall, and the serpaes I used to cycle it are happy and healthy, all 15 of them
There are some great articles with pros/cons of both methods here:
Guide to Starting a Freshwater Aquarium - Aquarium Advice

Edit:
Oh yeah, and welcome aboard! This is a GREAT resource, and you'll find people are very supportive and informative!