#2.
After talking to the sellers I'll be going with closer to the second layout because they are going to throw in some extras for a great price.I'd suggest putting some kind of barrier around your crypts and dwarf sag. Both are spreading rather aggressively in my Walstad tanks.
In layout 1, it seems like you have tall plants (the hygros) and short plants (crypts and sag), so maybe consider a medium-size plant for the midground? Unless you're planning on getting some medium-size crypts; my only experience has been with crypt wendtii (I think that's what it is anyway) and it's staying really low.
In layout 2, I'd suggest putting the fern slightly off-center since that's usually more pleasing to the eye.