Thinking of starting a new tank for Cichlids

[Walker Anderson]

Hello, I am thinking of starting a new tank for a few cichlids. I have a guppy tank, a tetra tank and a Gourami tank. I have never tried cichlids because they are always noted as semi to aggressive in nature. I was looking for advice on tank set up, sand or gravel substrate, planted or just rock structures. Driftwood or no. Also, what species would work well as a group in a 30 gallon tank. I am thinking of sticking to only one species in the tank.
Any input would be appriciated. Thanks!

[DeputyChiefJR]

You could do a Lake Tanginyka set-up....I think rocks, sand and driftwood would be best set-up...Some plants might even work out well....Kudos on doing all your research and buying accordingly!
BTW no malawis...too small a tank....

Apistos and rams would also work..

[slowlyburn]

i dont think that tank is big enough for any "group" of cichlids... I think a 55 gal is ok for a pair of cichlids... I guess it all depends on what you go with.. South Americans are way less agressive than africans are... Maybe some smaller cichlids like rams or honduran redpoints or convicts or just somthing that gets no more than 4-5 inches... With cichlids alot of fights will break out with to small of a tank... they tend to want to defend the whole tank as there territory unless you go big... Good luck though...

[atc_ben]

30gal. isn't all that large for keeping most cichlids. I currently have a couple of rams, (which I think are Bolivian because they're not a bright as some I've seen on this site, but all I've ever seen locally) and a school of neons in a 30gal. I'd say a 45-55gal is minimum for anything other than your dwarf variety of cichlids, unless you want to keep only one, and to me that's no fun.