Ok Ok .. i skimmed quickly but I have to add my 2cents. My wife and I currently have a 55gallon with more than 25 Cichlids ALL HEALTHY AND HAPPY.. Yellow Labs, Zebra's, Peacocks, Acei's, Johannis, Albino Labs, Electric Yellows, ect. All ranging from 1" - 6"
YES you may use play sand.. as long as it's the pre-washed, pre-filtered children's play sand... (Lowes, Home Depot) 1lb per gallon recommended) Plants {I don't think} they get eaten but they do up-root them (never fails) I Suggest fake plants.
We maintain this tank at 1.002 - 1.010 Salinity, 79*-84* degrees.. This is a holding tank for our breeding tanks. When fish grow over 6" we get store credit for them. As well as the juveniles.
By "over stocking" you keep aggression and abuse down. But we combined three tanks worth together at once.. Over stocking once is another key to the success. I have tried stocking over time and you always get one big boy beating everything to death..
When we do a weekly WC (5-10g) The fish become aggressive (low tide/ drought time)..Promoting breeding behavior. The rock work is set up to have no dead ends so if mating happens, in "theory" they will choose the one dead end. A plastic cup which we then can scoop them out.
Pic Included:
Oh and pleco's don't do well in those high salinity levels... But I have a Asian Up-Side down catfish that loves it.
So use your google machine, your melon cap, take words as grains of salt and good luck.
I don't Believe in cant's only in cans!
LIVE NEAR SYRACUSE, NY? I'd sell you some rocks for your cichlid built.