I like the original driftwood/rock layout better. Feels more balanced, "finished", less like the rocks are glaringly out of place. I would add additonal zones, on the left an (x) aka medium height between back zone (e) and foreground zone on (a). Google "Dutch aquascapes" to see what I mean, three distinct heights usually achieved by trimmed stem plants. Along the same lines, move (b) down parallel to (c). That wood is fantastic and IMO keep the plants off of it. There's enough room elsewhere for plants, including on the rocks, so no need to distract from the wood (as in your current iteration with the Anubias strewn on the wood). So for the new (b) zone, I will refer as (bx), you could nestle plants in that cove created where the driftwood meets the rock. Like your exisiting anubias could go to in (bx) and (d)
Thefishboss97 has great ideas. Not sure if blyxa aubertii or would do well with the existing light, but it's worth a shot because that is a beautiful plant. I also like all three varieties of java fern in one tank, so don't forget about narrow leaf, regular and wendelov. For instance a narrowleaf at (d) with a wendelov and young crypt wendtii in front at (c) would have lots of "texture" and variety for the eye even though it's just the same ol' stuff. I'd also just like to say, that if those lights offered by your friend are a good price, go ahead and get them. Most planted tank enthusiast are always hunting for that cheap light upgrade!!! So maybe if you don't like those lights for now, at least you would have them for down the road!
Additional plant suggestions for your existing light: bolbitis (e) (f), crypt retrospiralis/spiralis (e) (f), onion plant (e) (f), guppy grass (x) (d), Anubias barteri/cofeefolia gets huge so start it at (a) (bx) (c) (d) then move it to back, susswassertang tends to grow into like a wild bush good for filling in space (a) (bx) (c), flame moss as like a ghetto foreground plant (a) (bx) (c)
Also one last thought. Some subscribe to the idea that Marimo balls "shed" and impregnate a tank with nasty cladophora algae every where. I don't know if they just bring the algae with them or truly do shed, but my tank with marimos surprise! ended up with nasty cladophora algae everywhere. And that stuff loves to cling to wood, clog filters, grow non stop. It will even grow on the tiniest grain of sand. Extremely difficult algae to eradicate. So if it was me, I'd get rid of the marimos ASAP or be like OCD about turning them, rinsing them.
Thefishboss97 has great ideas. Not sure if blyxa aubertii or would do well with the existing light, but it's worth a shot because that is a beautiful plant. I also like all three varieties of java fern in one tank, so don't forget about narrow leaf, regular and wendelov. For instance a narrowleaf at (d) with a wendelov and young crypt wendtii in front at (c) would have lots of "texture" and variety for the eye even though it's just the same ol' stuff. I'd also just like to say, that if those lights offered by your friend are a good price, go ahead and get them. Most planted tank enthusiast are always hunting for that cheap light upgrade!!! So maybe if you don't like those lights for now, at least you would have them for down the road!
Additional plant suggestions for your existing light: bolbitis (e) (f), crypt retrospiralis/spiralis (e) (f), onion plant (e) (f), guppy grass (x) (d), Anubias barteri/cofeefolia gets huge so start it at (a) (bx) (c) (d) then move it to back, susswassertang tends to grow into like a wild bush good for filling in space (a) (bx) (c), flame moss as like a ghetto foreground plant (a) (bx) (c)
Also one last thought. Some subscribe to the idea that Marimo balls "shed" and impregnate a tank with nasty cladophora algae every where. I don't know if they just bring the algae with them or truly do shed, but my tank with marimos surprise! ended up with nasty cladophora algae everywhere. And that stuff loves to cling to wood, clog filters, grow non stop. It will even grow on the tiniest grain of sand. Extremely difficult algae to eradicate. So if it was me, I'd get rid of the marimos ASAP or be like OCD about turning them, rinsing them.
