Thanks Mooman for the encouragement! Now I am torn! :duh: If I do fresh only I will be using pool sand, if I do a cichlid it will be sand with crushed coral mixed in and if I salt it will be all crushed coral. Who knows now. I guess I just never thought salt was that easy. Who knew? :huh: Thanks for the picture Sara, it helps me to visualize better. What kind of fish did you have in that tank? I really love the look of this tank: http://www.aquahobby.com/tanks/e_tank0401b.php
This is what I was trying for in the looks dept. Then maybe a single really bright fish. I think I am going to try to do a salty "look alike" with a cichlid or two. If I don't like the way it looks I can always try again before I actually get the fish. I think I love making and creating new tanks the most of this hobby!
If you only want a single brightly colored fish.....might try these.......maybe a pair would work alright, but they can be pretty aggressive. It's a small african cichlid..freshwater.. http://www.geocities.com/ciclidos/images/leleupi6.jpg