The plants would be recycling the waste. For plants you will need lights and a drainage layer beneath the substrate. This can be done with a one inch layer of LECA or Hydroton. Pea gravel can also be used, but is much heavier and not nearly as nice. You should use a PVC pipe placed in the LECA. The pipe should be wide enough for a siphon hose to be inserted in. The pipe should also be capped when the hose is not in use and be notched at the bottom end to allow for water flow. The purpose of this pipe is to allow excess water to be drained off.
Over the LECA place nylon mesh. This will keep your substrate out of the drainage layer. Then place in coconut fiber and/or sphagnum for your substrate. You should be able to plant in either or. Covering the substrate with leaf litter will prevent accidental ingestion of the substrate, while at the same time add to the tanks overall look. Leaves are available from Josh's Frogs or from FF member JimO. Look for "live oak" as they break down very slowly.