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I have a 72g bowfront tank which i will begin the 6-8 week cycling process shortly. My aquarium experience is raising 2 Oscars for many years (and some others eaten by the oscars). I wanted to get beautiful fish but stay fresh water for less maintenance. The Tangs were recommended as perfect for me in addition to the fact that i live in an area with very hard water. I intend to use very small crushed gravel (with perhaps building a sand box if i get cichlids that require the sand for breeding). I know that the best substrate for cichlids is sand but the maintenance is much harder. I intend to put in one or 2 java ferns in (i know cichlids don't need plants)to help with the cycling process. Using a Fluval 405 (will get a second filter if needed) the landscape will be slate rock on top of each other- with some cave building. Not to much since i want to give as much room for the fish as possible, but as much cover as needed. My favorites right now is the goldhead alto lamprologus commpricepts (my favorite for color and top fin-mane), and auloncara - peacock varieties, gobbi, and Leuliupi for their beatuiful color. I understand that the the fish mentioned vary greatly in adult size so they may not be compatible. I also intend on getting a pleco although not native to the african habitat but compatible (or maybe a sinedontis depending on the other fish breeding habits). There are also some beautiful Malawi fish like demasoni. I alo want some fish with charachter not lazy slow fish that just sit there (I like the frontosa, but they can be boring). i obviously will take compatibility and fish aggresiveness into consideration. Basically I am trying to give you an idea of my tank setup, some of the fish i like and the fact that i want beautiful color to get opinion on a perfect livestock type and size of population. All of your (constructive) advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi

Some african cichlid breeders in a fish club I was in now have planted tanks thanks to me lol.

Plants can help during a cycle by absorbing excess nutrients, but it's fast growing plants that help.
Java ferns grow too slowly and use too little nutrients.
Hornwort, anacharis, those are ideal. Very fast growing.
Those types of plants won't last long in a tang tank but it would help the cycle.

Cycle it fishless, or only add a couple fish at first, feed lightly, add a couple more in a month. (the way I've always done it, never had a problem) Add the java ferns just because they're plants that will last, and add to your tanks appearance. Another nice touch if you're planning a rocky tank is to pop some java moss on it.

Good luck on your new setup

The Amazon Nut...

thanks for the advice Damoss Man. I am going away for two weeks, so i don't want to add fish yet since i wont be around to feed them. However i would like to cycle the tank while i am gone. I was told that the plants will help cycling abit till i get back.

demasoni...now thats a fish. stays small, very active, and LOVES to flare out its best colors. I have one in my 75g and was worth every penny.

The down side is agression. This fish packs more punch in 3 inches then most other 14 inch cichlids. Because they stay smaller then most other Mbuna it has to make up for it with attitude to keep territory.

it can NOT be tanked with anything barred at all. And i mean this in the vauges sense. I was watching my tank one day and one of my yellow labs was being escorted to the other end of the tank by the dominate male. The demasoni had no involvment till the lab sported stress bars. He charged the stressed fish which irrated the dominated male. the demasoni then showed the twice his size male the other side of tank THEN went back for the barred fish.

In short agression plays a huge role in these tanks as you allready know. plan your stocking accordingly. If your set on a demasoni you either have one or 20+. no other barred fish. and should be added to the tank last.

If your after color go with mbuna. There is no competition to them unless you go salt and thats debatable. Plan your stocking with agro and colors/markings in mind. These are the triggers shape doesnt seem to play much of a role.

If your after more of the natural antics then tangs bring more of this. Some tangs bring some colors but nothing compared to mbuna.

Personally i never could decide so i have both lol. 75g mbuna tank and 30g breeder tang tank. the 75g tank gets the ooohs and ahhs from visators but i lose more time watching the shellies soap opera then any TV program.

Bottom line is research...ALOT.
here is some links to get ya started.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com
http://www.shelldwellers.com/
Hope these help. the first give some cookie cutter suggestions but arnt written in stone. the second shows you some small tangs. can fit alot in a 72g hehe. can also get alot of spectrums with them by getting shell/rock/open water dwellers. really makes for a nice tank.

Anyway enough of my book need any more info just shout

well I decided what fish i definitely do want. the Altolamprologus Comprisicepts. Now i just have to decide what to put with them compatibility wise -