I would start with the substrate as Melll suggests.
If it was my tank and I was starting again I would empty it out and start with a dirted tank capped with sand. There are a few examples on the forum and lots of guidance. Fill your tank (without plants) and run it without lights for a few weeks to cycle the filter and give yourself some thinking time, select hard scape and research.
Then choose your lights perhaps trying out cheap DIY Leds. I would then look for easy vigorous plants and plant heavily. Include floating plants (search for threads on the duckweek index and the aerial advantage).
Buy your plants from a reputable source and talk to them about the plants. Aquarium gardens are superb.
Once you have this running then start considering increasing filtration , co2, more advanced plants etc.