Quick question

[zackish]

How many african cichlids, like the demasonis, could I fit in a 29 gallon tank? Or none at all?

[Fishguy2727]

One male, three or so females.

[OscarFan]

Is it long or tall.

[NickFish]

If it's long 1 male and 3 female is a good ratio.

[Incredulous_Ed]

and of course, lots o lace rock

[zackish]

It is just a regular 29. Tall I would say.
Anyways, I was planning on doing 3 or 4. I don't know much about cichlids yet so I was going to start reading. However, I may sell all my plants and fish over winter break and get baby africans. When the summer comes I may get a 65 gallon tank. My stand now would be perfect for it. Or how would a 40 gallon breeder be? Does the footprint rather than total volume matter more with cichlids? A 65 gal. is the same length and width as a 40 gallon breeder.
What else goes in an african cichlid tank? I know they like to tear up plants so I was just going to keep one big sword in there, some driftwood, and some plant pots or large rocks or something.

[Fishguy2727]

They like lots of rock work, a pH of about 8.2, special lake salts (very low dose), I would only feed New Life Spectrum, lots of filtration, and and lots of flow. Go bigger if you can. If you can fit a 65, do it. Bigger is better.

[OscarFan]

most like caves and holes to hide. mine like to stay near the bottom but some dont.Lots of caves

[zackish]

I really think I am going to go with the 65. I can get an all glass 65 gallon with hood and light for $150.
I plan to have pots and some brick structure in there maybe.
However, can I get about 4 small cichlids now and then in 4 months when summer comes i will get the 65. I have a rena xp2 now and I am going to get a xp3 and run them both on the 65. How would that be for filtration? By then they should have grown a good amount and after that can I throw a few more in?
My last question for now is what kinds can I keep together?
Can you keep firemouths and demasoni?

[OscarFan]

The 29 would work for a while and with the 65 6 mediums would work