Aquascaping tips and Plant ID needed!

[jessnherfish]

My 55 gal is a mess, I suck at aquascaping it, any suggestion?
After just buying a bunch of plant that i knew nothing about, I wanna start over.I only have 80 watts over this tank via cheap shoplight.
:read:
I did some research and I have some good idea what plant I wanna use, but I really need aquascaping tips, Also what tools should I use?

Thanks

Here's my 55 gal. Not a great pic as I took it with my Handycam.
http://f3.yahoofs.com/users/41def847z88b9ca38/fcbare2/__sr_/8028re2.jpg?phANTKFB_Q8K5_Hb
Can anyone Id this plant for me, It grew from one of those petco bulbs.
http://f3.yahoofs.com/users/41def847z88b9ca38/fcbare2/__sr_/20cdre2.jpg?phANTKFB69w7kNzL

[sarcare]

One tip is to keep groupings of the same plants together--so three stems of that frill plant you have there (camboba or myro) then an inch over three more. By keeping the same plants together it will look more lush. Another key to aquascaping is the use of smaller plants, find some low growing plants for the front, as it will provide a sense of depth. Also, don't put the focal point in the center--off center focus makes the tank seem more natural. I think some kind of background also helps with that--a plain black, blue, or gray background.

The best advice I got on aquascaping was to look at tanks you like and try and see how to replicate that look with the plants you've got. Also it is good to find people in your area that have planted tanks--when they trim their plants they usually are willing to donate them to the cause of starting a new tank. They are more likely to have a better variety of healthy plants then the lfs.

I have that same bulb growing like crazy in my 55g--it is some hybrid aponogen.

[webcricket]

If you want to see a ton of planted tanks to get ideas, try http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/planted_tanks.php

[fresh_newby]

I would id it for you but I can't see a pic