Cichlid help for beginner !

[rdracer66]

I was wondering what everyoen recommends for starting out a new 55 gallon I want to go to Cichlids because i love how colorful they are and how beautiful not sure of the type of cichlid yet but i do know they are agressive, i've been tossing over this for 2 weeks now as i looked for my 55 gallon
well i bought a used one 2 days ago with one of those wet dry systems ? i heard those were very nice and i got a great deal on the whole setup, i know i could put more fish in this tank if i set it up for community and i have thougth about that
but there's something about the Cichlid that just interests me, I'm still very new at fish game and i started with a 5 gallon and then went to a 10 gallon which im still tryign to get cycled correctly thought i had it but i did end up losing 2 rainbow fish in the first month, so any ideas guys ?
also if i do go the cichlid route i hear 2 views on what to use for gravel i want to use the natural color and mix coral in with it to keep the ph up , but i also heard that i should use pure coral atleast .5 to 1in deep ?
any ideas guys and or gals ?

Rd

 

[rdracer66]

O I want to go the African route because they just look nicer
dont you think ?

Rd

 

[Jeni]

I would suggest convicts.  They are pretty, and fun to watch.  I just got my first guys a week ago and they've already spawned.  Personally i would want an oscar, but you can only keep one, and they get huge, and they are expensive to keep.

 

[Oscardude]

I would go South American.  get an Oscar,convicts maybe a jack dempsey.  There are very easy to keep and for the beginner they are not to hard to keep healthy.  I don't have any coral in my tank I just check the PH levels regularly. I just use peat gravel. and some bigger pieces of rock to make caves. If you get convicts they would really appreciate it.