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First one is most likely immersed form wisteria. It will start looking like normal submerged wisteria after growing some new leaves. Second one..... tough to say, but I would go with java moss.
so should I have taking all the leaves off from the beginning and just planted the bare stem....so it'll turn into that tatered looking plant that I keep seeing
I agree, the first looks like emersed wisteria (maybe) and the second java moss. I've never tried planting that form personally. I wouldn't pull the leaves off, it needs them, it will convert on its own.