How Many Cichlids?

[cfmurray4]

I am starting all over. I have a 30 gal tank dimensions are in inches. 30x12.5x18.5 I want to get cichlids. I already have CaribSea Aragamax Select Aragonite in the tank. How many cichlids would you recommend having in the tank? I am not looking to breed. I want a mixed cichlid tank. Thanks for reading.

 

[onidrase]

I am starting all over. I have a 30 gal tank dimensions are in inches. 30x12.5x18.5 I want to get cichlids. I already have CaribSea Aragamax Select Aragonite in the tank. How many cichlids would you recommend having in the tank? I am not looking to breed. I want a mixed cichlid tank. Thanks for reading.

What's your pH at now that you used Aragonite? Old world cichlids are the ones that appreciate that, the new world ones, to my knowledge like it closer to neutral, or lower.

given you only have a 30 gallon, you're limited to "not much", as cichlids tend to be territorial (even dwarves) and need some space. You'll probably be able to get away with a bigger, mellow cichlid, like an angelfish or keyhole, on occasion firemouths can work, and a pair of rams or trio of apistos, at best. But that would mean you'd have to take out that sand of yours, unless your tap water is deadly acidic or something.

I think a tanganyikan community would work in regards to old world cichlids, but most old worlds need to be kept in big groups to disperse aggression, and most of them get at least 6 inches long, which would leave them awfully cramped. But old world's are not my speciality.