40 Breeder Stocking

[Platinum_Cats]

Hello! I am new here, and cichlids, but not new to fish.
I have kept fish for almost 2 decades, but after keeping bettas, gourami and livebearers exclusively, it's getting boring! I need to try something new.

I have a 40 gallon breeder that I want to put some cichlids in. The current fish will be given to a local LFS, so the tank will be empty.

I was thinking keyhole cichlids and angel fish with some tetras, but I don't know for sure. I really like biotope / biotype tanks, as that is what I usually did with my gourami.

I am open to ANY suggestions as I am unsure where to start with cichlids. I have had a few dwarf variety in the past, but it was mostly limited to rams.

Thank you!

 

[Brookster123]

What do you like?

 

[Platinum_Cats]

What do you like?

Oh that’s a tough one haha. I know for sure not Mbuna. Peacocks are pretty, but the tank is too small for them. I like lake Tang fish, but they’re so expensive! I have a 20 gallon QT tank that I think will be home to either a pair of Julis or a shellie trio. Though brichardi are usually not that much money.

I want something larger but not too large because I’d like a biotype tank if possible.

 

[Platinum_Cats]

I believe I want to do a Lake Tanganyika tank.

What would you all suggest as a stocking? I wanted to do some rock work with dead live rock and some crushed coral substrate to help up the pH. The substrate color I have now in this tank is black. Would that be good or should I swap to natural sand? The back is all planted substrate so I have to take half of the substrate out anyways.