New Tank In Few Months , Wanna Plan Idea's Please

[clivealive]

new tank in few months , wanna plan idea's please:
 
so likely to get new tanks in few months , i want something different from american cichlids.
 
1 /. tank likely to be around 2 1/2 to 3ft hopefully 18 deep and wide.
 
2/. I have naturally hard water with PH of 8.2 ish, so fish suited to that would be best.
 
3 /. dont like small fish (neons guppy's etc)
 
4 /. more colour the better.
 
5/  possibles if suited.   other cichlids types   , colourful fish
 
6/.  ideally a type that mix lots of fish without a war.
 
7/ ideally dont eat plants but not essential
 
any suggestions
 
 
 
 

 

[elmo666]

A cichlid will give you lots of colour. I'd sort myself out some nice rockwork to the rear, glued together whilst tank is empty, creating lots off hiding holes. Then add crushed coral sand. Fish next........ Lake Malawi or Tanganyika make a great looking group, plenty of colour, natural in-bickering but nothing serious, love diving in and out of rocks, and tolerate heavy stocking. They love to excavate the substrate, hence the need to secure the rockwork. Plants wouldn't be a good idea in such a set up. Anyway, whatever you decide on, enjoy your new tank. Always an exciting time.

 

[clivealive]

most of the malawi i have seen are quite small is that the case ?
I ideally would like fish that get to around 3-5 inch max and nothing smaller than 2"
what of the 2 types are most available in LFS generally ?

 

[elmo666]

Malawi grow to the size you're after, as do Tanganyikan, but most of what you get in lfs are juvenile, hence their small size. Mbuna may also be worth looking at, same thing, just a more common name. Frontosas are particular attractive imo.

 

[clivealive]

difficult choice all look nice , been reading up on some.
Frontosas go a little too big infact a lot