Okay, the java moss needs to be tied to something for the best look, and I use cotton thread for this. Once the thread rots off the plant has taken hold on its own. The anubias can be partially buried in the substrate, but keep the rhizome above the gravel. Crypts just get plunked in the gravel, but they are heavy root feeders so a root tab is good for them unless you have a fancy plant substrate. Crypts sometimes "melt" (don't know how much you know about this, forgive me!) when moved from one tank to another, or if water parameters change much, but they will almost always come back after a bit.
I don't know of a timer that will dim, but that really sounds like a nice thing. I have two strips on my 44, with one large light and one smaller one, and in the evening the brighter light turns out first, leaving the smaller one in the back for a dim, moonlight effect.