Cichlid Keepers Advice for best Cichlids for a beginner

Hello everyone, I'm currently cycling a 75 gallon tank that will hold African Cichlids. I was thinking on doing Mbunas but I wanted to get some input on what type and how many of each. I've read up on the Mbunas and I think my tank setup will be suitable for them. thank you in advance for the input.

Tank Setup:
75 Gallon tank
Fluval FX6 Filter
2 300W Aqueon pro heaters
Aeration stone (100G air pump)
African Cichlid sand substrate (buffered water pH to about 8 already)
Rock decor and hiding caves
Thinking about getting some limestone ??
Currently going through fishless cycle, started today using Dr. Tim's one and only and ammonia. We shall see how it works out.

 

What is the African Cichlid Sand comprised of? If it contains crushed coral you shouldn't need to add any extra limestone.

As for species I'll leave that to others It's been 20 years since I kept Mbunas.

 

What is the African Cichlid Sand comprised of? If it contains crushed coral you shouldn't need to add any extra limestone.

As for species I'll leave that to others It's been 20 years since I kept Mbunas.

I'm not sure but its the Carib Sea African Cichlid Mix. It buffers the water to the pH needed. So far, in 4 days it's been running, it's raised it to about 8 to 8.2, kind of hard to tell with the colors being so similar

 

I'm not sure but its the Carib Sea African Cichlid Mix. It buffers the water to the pH needed. So far, in 4 days it's been running, it's raised it to about 8 to 8.2, kind of hard to tell with the colors being so similar

Ok, looks like it contains mostly sea shells which will release Calcium Carbonate, same as limestone. It will keep your water buffered, you'll be right to go when cycled.

 

Bumble Bee, labs, jewel, zebra , electric blue , golden. There are quite a few that can be together. Probably 20 in a 75 gallon. And a couple sydonotis catfish

 

Yellow Labs seem to be the staple. Yellow Tail AceI seem to contrast well with the Yellow Labs or DemasonI Cichlids. Pseudotropheus SocolofI or Snow White SocolofI Cichlids. These guys are on the less aggressive end.
Bumblebee, Venustus Cichlid << gets quite large, Kenyi, Rusty Cichlid, Red Top Zebra are other Mbuna options too.

You'd have to overstock the tank to ease aggression for Mbunas. I recommend you double the filtration (2 filters instead of 1) for African Cichlids.

Correction: Although they come from the same lake, Venustus Cichlids are not Mbuna. My mistake.....

 

Yellow Labs seem to be the staple. Yellow Tail AceI seem to contrast well with the Yellow Labs or DemasonI Cichlids. Pseudotropheus SocolofI or Snow White SocolofI Cichlids. These guys are on the less aggressive end.
Bumblebee, Venustus Cichlid << gets quite large, Kenyi, Rusty Cichlid, Red Top Zebra are other Mbuna options too.

You'd have to overstock the tank to ease aggression for Mbunas. I recommend you double the filtration (2 filters instead of 1) for African Cichlids.

Correction: Although they come from the same lake, Venustus Cichlids are not Mbuna. My mistake.....

is the Fluval FX6 not enough? if I did the math, it will filter the water 39 times an hour

 

is the Fluval FX6 not enough? if I did the math, it will filter the water 39 times an hour

I use HOB filters. I just Googled the Fluval FX6. It's many times better than my filters haha

No you're good. It's just my inexperience with canister filters.

 

Lol, I was gonna say, dang that thing was expensive...I don't want to buy another one