To me, it looks too balanced. You have a large portion of large, long leaved plants on the left and right; it's formulaic not natural looking. The height is good though. If you notice, your plants make a V shape in heighth. Tall, short, tall. This has been proven to be aeshtetically pleasing to people, so plus one there
Your new idea sounds great! That would definitely give you a focal point and the HM would look great around it as a carpet.
You've also got a variety of plants in there with a range of colors. This can be hard to pull off well. Nothing wrong with a dutch aquarium, it just takes time to plan it well so things don't clash.
Your new idea sounds great! That would definitely give you a focal point and the HM would look great around it as a carpet.
What I would do: Remove that java fern. It's the wrong color green so it clashes with your other plants. Also, it's huge! Make some money off that sucker!
Leave the crypt forest, love it. Work with some rotala or some stem next to/kinda behind the crypt forest. Then lower the level of plants 'till you reach the HM on the left side/front. The difference in height will create depth.
So, basically, have heavy planting on the right with the carpet of HM and leave the left side open for swimming space.
Good luck
