Not all plants will grow in every tank, for a number of reasons. Over time, stay with what grows, and forget the plant species that fail, and you will have a successful tank.
The twisted leaf plant is corkscrew Vallisneria. This needs good light, and does better in moderately hard or harder water. I can grow it, but not in all tanks (light is not bright enough in some), and then not without increased hard minerals (I have very soft water, forgot your GH but this is one factor).
I don't worry too much about "background" cover. I use plain black construction paper as my tank background, and seeing to the back of the tank actually gives the impression of increased depth. I can't tell from the photos, but if you don't have a background, try plain black construction paper taped to the outside of the back glass.
The twisted leaf plant is corkscrew Vallisneria. This needs good light, and does better in moderately hard or harder water. I can grow it, but not in all tanks (light is not bright enough in some), and then not without increased hard minerals (I have very soft water, forgot your GH but this is one factor).
I don't worry too much about "background" cover. I use plain black construction paper as my tank background, and seeing to the back of the tank actually gives the impression of increased depth. I can't tell from the photos, but if you don't have a background, try plain black construction paper taped to the outside of the back glass.
