Given that this is a planted cycle, I would think the filteration isn't relevant at present as the cycling that happens in the background will not have had time to build up beneficial bacteria. It is the volume of plants that is important as there must be enough to outweigh the ammonia produced by the fish. If the ammonia and nitrite are tested daily, and always read zero, it is possible that the fish were unhealthy when purchased but keep testing to make sure. Be careful not to overstock before the tank can handle the bioload.
LFS are businesses, not animal welfare experts. We have to do our own research and seriouslyfish is a good source.
