my tank is in signature, its my 1st + im working setting up a 55 gal now, i persnolly dont have the time for REAL plants but if ya go with artifical buy GOOD ONES, i have found PENN PLAX, HAGEN , AND LIVING WORLD, to be the most realistic, they start at about $1.49 for small 4" and go up to about $5.99 ea for 18" tall, i like ambula. red ludwigia, and the taller ones in back grouped..then you styarty goimg smaller like dwn to 12" 8" depending on what size tank ya have...and i got several lil ones 4" in asst. areas by rocks etc.....i dont like to place them symetrically but randomly (the smaller for ground ones in front of the tall ones in back) this gives a nic eeffect, and i do LOVE real plants as well, just dont have ther time...what ever ya select introduce lots of dif size rocks too..make sure there inert if gathering them from creek bed (not pouluted see rock threads for more info on cleaning) rocks i think make the tank, shale , small pebbles then smaller flat ones + stack sdome make caves , creavices, its really unlimited what ya can do w/rocks and plants, and someone mentioned too, this takes time while your waiting for amonia to spike + retreat, and its fun while waiting to get your quest THE FISHYS!!! ><}}}}}}*> BE CREATIVE. PLAN IT OUT SKECTH A DRAWING . AND ABOVE ALL TAKE YOU R TIME!!!!
OH well that smy 2 cents, and im a rookie but i think my tank looks pretty awesome....good luck, we all look forward to seeing the end product!!!! TAKE YOUR TIME!!!! aqwa scaping is the funnest part i think of the journey and go to the library + read every book they have, its really relaxing!!!