Advice for Cichlids (newbie)

[Jalum]

Thanks for all the info..
I have bought and setup my tank on the weekend. 75 Gallon All-Glass Aquarium, Eheim 2215 Filter, a power head, and a 300 watt heater. And I got a Python for filling and vacuming, which is great.
Once I figured out how to prime the filter, it runs like a dream.

I am heading to Betz Cut Stone tomorrow to buy some big pieces of lava rock and will carve them out. The prices of rock in the LPS is really much too high.

In the tank I put down a thin layer of crushed coral and then 75 pounds of black gravel, a few pieces of black slate and then filled the tank. Only took about 20 minutes with the Python. Checked the PH today.. 8.0.

I like the Yellow Labs and really like the Pseudotropheus acei and will start with the acei first. I plan to get them very young, as soon as my tank cycles. The girl friend likes catfish so I will look into the synadontis.

I should have some photos of it soon.

 

[oztun]

Checkout this:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/species_for_beginners.php

and this:
http://www.cichlids.com/wiki/index.php/Beginner

Good articles and great websites.

Make sure you get it setup right, PH and GH are very important:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/rift_lake_setup.php

I think peacocks and mbuna are cool, but I much prefer a tank full of haps. I just think they look the best.

Another important thing is researching which species mix. I find cichlid specific forums best for this. The people are more experienced IME.