Just got my hands on a 55g tank? Ideas?

[elephantnose]

I found an awesome deal on a 55 gallon aquarium. 50 bucks comes with a stand, light, filture, a few decorations that I would probably toss. The filter is a canister but not sure of the type. I'm also not sure what the lighting is but for 50 bucks IDC. I could always upgrade. I'm going to be turning this tank into a cichlid tank. What do you recommended?

 

[elephantnose]

Picked the tank up today. The filter is a Rena filstar xp2. What media does this take?

 

[squirrilah fish]

I've been leaning lately to doing smaller than recommended fish.
I don't have this, but a 55 gallon Apistogramma tank would be awesome.
Other dwarfs.
Firemouths
And of course the normal 55 stock Mbuna or peacocks.

 

[elephantnose]

I've never been able to find apistos in my area. I was thinking maybe a couple of platinum angels and a few GBRs.

 

[squirrilah fish]

I've never been able to find apistos in my area. I was thinking maybe a couple of platinum angels and a few GBRs.

That would be cool. I don't know if that's a good mix. Angels tend to be aggressive, and GBRS are sensitive little guys, but a 55 gives em lots of room.

Another cool idea is doing a tank of like 12 demasoni's with a few Labidochromis or Afra's

 

[elephantnose]

Yeah, a 55g gives a lot of options.

 

[squirrilah fish]

Yeah, a 55g gives a lot of options.

It really does. I have an all male African Cichlid 55.

 

[ddiienno]

Where did you find that deal lol been searching long and far for a good deal can't find 1

 

[elephantnose]

I got it off of craigslist. If you post a wanted ad on there you will get a ton of replies. I am still getting them but this 55g makes 6 tanks in my possession and that's enough for me.

 

[ddiienno]

Wow haha that's plenty!!

 

[elephantnose]

Yeah. Lol. I got almost all of them off of craigslist except for one i got from a friend. I got them all for free or a very reasonable price.

 

[ddiienno]

That's awesome I'm gonna give it a try