Wanting to change original plans now. Need suggestions.

[leafythegreat]

So, my tank used to look like this...

http://i.imgur.com/yZExyl.jpg

But after my driftwood turning my water brown, (Something I wasn't prepared for... eek! I feel bad for not doing the research.) I removed the driftwood and java ferns, just leaving the Hygrophila.

I've been soaking the driftwood for a week and a half and it shows little progress. Meanwhile, the Hygrophila have exploded. I had to weed a few out, they were getting so thick so quickly. Wow!

Now I'm rethinking putting the driftwood back in, partly because the Hygrophila look very nice near the bottoms, which the driftwood would hurt by blocking the light. So I want to change something around now.

Here's how my tank looks now: http://imgur.com/a/ikaIp#ZyMkG

(Ignore the first pic, just a victory pic of me getting my ammonia levels down.)

As you can see, it's rather bare towards the front right corner. I was wondering if you fine people had a nice suggestion for it. I'm into the natural look, but if you have a really cool suggestion for an artificial decoration, give it to me.

Should I just spread the plants out a little more? Maybe make a hill with the gravel? I have some more river rocks; I could see if I could figure out a cave of sorts with them. I don't know.

By the way, if you were wondering about the driftwood, once it has soaked, I have plans for putting it in Mr. Fishie's now evacuated 2.5 gallon and making a Walstad shrimp tank. Thought it would be fun.

[Olympia]

Doesn't look like a big piece, boiling it will get the tannins out faster.
I'd boil it and put it back, unless you really want it for another tank.