Suggestions on scaping cichlid tank.

I have a 55 gal with the whole bottom filled with random decor. My fish are growing and don't have enough cover. So I want to make some changes

How can I scape it with water in it? I have around 20 Africans in it. I know overstocked. I still need to sell a few.

What kind of rocks are safe? Where can I get them at?

Is there alternatives? I think I saw a tank with the whole back with terricota pots. Some didn't have bottoms in them. How would I do this method

What about doing something with PVC?

For substarate I want to use pfs. Will my 2 Rena xp3's blow the sand around? Should I do bare bottom?

I really like the Terricota pot thin I saw. Would the orange pots look okay with my yellow labs?

One more, once I sell some fish could I add a bn Pleco?

Thanks.

 

I believe terracotta and PVC should work.
Not sure what types of rocks would though.

 

I wouldn't do bare bottom and if I couldn't use sand, I would use crushed coral. For rocks, you could use stuff like slate, limestone, sandstone etc. Yes a pleco would be fine in a african cichlid tank. You could get rocks from your back yard, LFS, Gardening store, diy store.

 

Any rocks are fine really just clean them really well I prefer river rock personally

 

I have sand just bare bottom is easy to clean.

so how do I glue rocks in but at the same times with water?