request for stocking assistance

[lunaridge]

I'm sorry to those who read both sections, I'm copying this from the New World section. I want to hear opinions on both Old and New World cichlids. I'm restarting my Juwel Rio 180 and I'm trying to keep an open mind, so all suggestions are welcome. My husband and I have decided on cichlids, but we're torn between Old and New. I'll be posting in both sections, hoping someone can sway me. My only requirement is creating a natural environment for the fish. I'm happy to put in the work on water chemistry. I'm about to graduate with a biomedical sciences degree and I'll miss doing lab work.

[terrac]

I think you'll find achieving a natural look is relatively straightforward with Old World cichlids - it's mainly a matter of incorporating rocks and crushed coral sand. In contrast, New World cichlids require a bit more effort, as they typically involve plants and more complex water chemistry. Having kept both types, I can offer some insight - I literally just finished setting up a 75-gallon Old World tank about five minutes ago.

[slyzen]

I've had experience with both tanganyikans and malawis in six foot setups, trying to achieve that natuflake look. I was quite particular about the details, even going as far as creating my own custom sand mix - not just your average crushed coflake. The choice of rocks was also crucial, I wanted something that would accurately reflect the natural environment of the lakes, so I opted for rocks that I found locally, which happened to be in my garden. I've got some old photos of the tanks from a few months back, but I really need to update those.