Silent Cycle
Okay after some thorough research I found the method as I described above and the one I was taught to use are identical and is referred to as a "Silent Cycle". I was skeptical about the Tank actually being cycled this way by the plants alone. Never realized the plants job even as I did it this way lol. The version of this I always used included aquatic plants of differing growth patterns, but the method I told about and got a good explanation why this is so effective used only fast growing plants at the start , and they use Eco-complete substrate <Which I will have to try out> used flourite myself mostly old days of laterite are gone. This is a natural albeit longer way for cycling your system.
According to Aquarium plant clubs and other resources Plants will consume ammonia and nitrate thereby beginning an initial biological cycle until the filter can become completely established, and even after the plants will contribute to this. After 1 week you will be able to introduce a few algae eating fish or shrimp and they will be worry free as the plants will be taking care of any ammonia and nitrates. These guys will be happily munching on algal growths which depending on your lighting can be large or very small. The only thing you shouldn't be using at this point is liquid fertilizers as this will cause an algae bloom. Fertilized substrate or sticks placed under the gravel bed by each plant will be best until everything else has established then of course your in the clear for the liquid stuff. Making sure to remove dead leaves and other plant material is key at this stage as you can be inundated with algae and poor water conditions if you allow anything to decay to long. After another week or 2 you can begin adding your substrate dwellers Depending on your tank size Corydoras catfish make excellent additions and should be kept in groups of 4-6. At this time your plants and budding colony in your filter will be doing their job and the Plants will be getting larger and more full <Filter is still growing>. After another week or 2 if you want to wait a little longer your all set to add some middle and/or top dwellers. You still want to go slow with additions to make sure your system can catch up <It shouldn't be an issue at this point but favor the side of caution and go slow>.
Make sure you have from the beginning the CO2 system of your choice ready to go as the initial planting cycle requires CO2 from the start. This method has always worked well for me and everyone I've known that uses it. Kinda funny how your taught something and never knew they actually had a name for the cycling method you used.
Some people will argue but I stand strong as I stated earlier never had to worry about the dreaded Syndrome and never had a fish suffer or die in fact my Cory's and pleco's live for years and even had my Cory's breed in most setups <30gal and up>. Bristle nosed Pleco's are great for Algae control and including one in a planted setup is a great choice as they do not tear plants up and even clean the leaves of the larger types. Driftwood is a must have if you have a bristle nose for reasons even the experts aren't fully aware and most claim these Pleco's will ingest some and suffer or perish without it. <Look it up>
Make sure you also supplement your Algae crew with a variety of foods as they need more in their diet than just Algae. Hope this helps