NEW 55 Gallon Cichlid Tank Ideas: HELP!!!!

[rileymc]

Hello all!

So I just purchased a 55 gallon aquarium that currently has nothing inside. I plan to have two Marineland 350 BioWheel Filters, a Powerhead for flow and airation, LED Lighted hoods, and a 250 Watt heater. I want to make it an all-cichlid tank.

I do not know about what can be kept together, or much about cichlids because I am new to them. I plan to learn more and more while my tank cycles for a few weeks.

Any stocking plan ideas for me? I am looking for beautiful color, low aggression, and smaller cichlids so I can keep like 12-15 eventually.

What are ideas of a stocking plan? I would like to keep the cost pretty low if possible.

Thanks for all the help!!

 

[SherLar]

Since you don't have much experience with cichlids yet, IMO, go with an all Mbuna tank. There are a lot of color choices, and a lot of variety. Try to get a ratio of 1m/3f for each species, or for even more color, you can do an all male tank. Most of the Labidochromis and Iodotropheus species are good beginner fish. If you do a 1m/3f tank, you can probably do 3 different species as long as you provide adequate caves and crevasses for territories. There's an excellent article in Aquarium USA 2015 by Iggy Tavares on building a Mbuna biotype tank. Perhaps you can find it online.