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Okay, so I actually tossed around the idea of starting a marine tank. I went out and bought a book, I read it from start to finish and learned a lot, however I don't think I am yet ready to go marine. Partly because of funds, and partly because of knowledge. So I have convinced myself that the next best (and only logical) thing to do is to go bigger with fresh water. We currently have a 20 gal. fresh water community tank, but I want to go a different direction. I have thought of going with cichlids. What do you guys think? I am open to any and all suggestions.

I am also starting up a 55 very soon and here is my post on this very subject. I am still not 100% on the stock list it is changing slightly as time goes by. I still ahven't decided on a schooling fish yet.

http://fishprofiles.com/files/forums/General%20Freshwater/66336.html?200511262045

I hope this helps!
I have actually just updated my stock list. Hopefully if nothing else it will give you some inspiration.


Christina

I love my 55 I just started. It is peaceful community. A big step up from my 10g. Although my 55g is big to me, I still have fish I want, but don't have room for. Therefore I am getting a 48 gallon. I definitely have aquarium fever. I saw a huge tank (75 maybe even 125) at my LFS that was planted and very pretty. Makes me want a bigger tank now, but I can't have or afford one that big. My point is get the biggest you can afford. You will always want bigger and better.
I don't know much about cichlids, as I've never kept them. I'll let others advise you on the stock.
I am getting a few angelfish for my 55 to go along with the 2 tetra schools, cory school, BN, and yoyo loaches. With a 55g there are many options for stock.

*Kristin*

Good on you, believe it or not, cost aside, youll find a 55 is easier to manage, plus youll probably have some happy fish with plenty of room to move. Avoid large species and youll find you have a top notch aquarium in no time. Lots of tiny fish in a 55 and some really nice planting often looks totally amazing. Much better than just a few rocks and a couple of oscars or a few large cichlids or catfish. Its the detail that makes it all work.

I have just posted a photo of a Cichlid tank it might interest you.

[link=Look Here]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Photo%20Booth/66667.html?200511282029" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info

[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tanks]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

Keith

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Lovely, lovely tank, and my point exactly,lots of nice little fish! Its just a personal view , but I find that little fish in a big tank look more spectacular than big fish in a proportionately small tank.Not descriminating against cichlids in particular, some of them are drop-dead gorgeous.Nice combo of plant and rock in that one btw.

You can go woth a SA tank, with some Sand, Driftwood, Amazon Plants & some SA fish, like Corydoras, Tetra's, Angels & much more.


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That was a very nice tank. Where those all cichlids in there? I agree that many small fish look better than a few big ones. I need to do some research as to what cichlids stay fairly small. Also, I am not completely opposed to having aggressive fish. I do not want an "aggressive tank" where the fish are constantly fighting amongst each other, and I don't want a cichlid that will kill everything else in the tank. Are there any combination of aggressive cichlids that will not kill or injure each other? Also, does anyone have any good suggestions as to the direction that I am leaning toward?

man.. i totally WASTED the space on my 55 gallon.. i got all these "cute lil mollies".. now i have like 10 and a zillion babies... i wish i coulda got some cooler fish.. but im stuck with what im stuck with.... USE THE SPACE WISELY!

*Chelle*
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I love the fishes cuz they're SOOO delicious...