There is always a tendency to overcomplicate matters. I have just returned to the hobby after over 25 years absence and all this gubbins about fishless cycling etc and the science behind it was largely unheard of, despite dedicated periodicals such as Tropical Fish Hobbyist and The Aquarist, and I always managed perfectly well without fatalities.
The science behind a biochemically balanced aquarium is not easily understood by many, but in my humble opinion much of it is common sense. Plant moderately - heavily with the plants you know you can grow, and then add the fish one or two at a time over the space of a month or so.
The plants will instantly start to take up any available Ammonium from the water column through their leaves along with other sources of nitrogen and therefore meet the shortfall whilst the filter cycles.
I often place fish straight into a newly planted tank on the same day it is set up, the only additive I use is water conditioner, but I have had equally successful results without. The key is to load the system gradually so that the water purifying quality of the plants combined with the filters capacity to meet demand is not overwhelmed. You also have the safety net of water changes.
Hope this helps
