Hi Razzle..Looks like we almost went in for the same deal with the tank..had to satisfy my son's urge for a pet with this and now I think, I should've gone with the dog
I find myself so consumed with the process and the shopping and I've already spent close to $600 and still starring at an empty tank..
The plant you are talking about is Compacto, I believe..(assume you bought it from Petco..I bought the same as well and started seeing new leaves on it)
I went with a Fluval C4 and was concerned about relying on just one filter and ended up ordering a Fluval 406 canister..Can't wait to get home and hook that up..
Hows your cycling shaping up? I'm trying to be patient with the Nitrogen cycle and my Ammonia doesn't seem to drop any sooner..