Looking for some tank ideas

It has been about 8 years since I left the hobby do to leaving for the military. I'm finally out and settled in again and looking to start a tank again.
I'm looking for some ideas. I'd like a tank that is relaxing and peaceful to watch- but not fish that are are constantly flying around.
I kept a lot of oddballs before and am now looking to keep cheaper- and possibly more community based fish. I recently got a 30g tank for free so I will be setting that up.

A couple ideas I tossed around:
-planted community tank with tetras and ??
- small African cichlids
-Something interactive that could fit in a 30g like a puffer
-Some small native fish- but I think even sunfish will outgrow a 30g.

I don't plan on upgrading the tank so a group pf fish that will be comftorable for life. LEt me know some ideas or lets see some pics.

Quo Vadis said:

Native darters. By far the most interactive small fish I've owned, plus they are pretty, peaceful, and depending on where you live you may be able to catch them yourself. I will always have my darter tank because of those things and especially the added dimension of catching them myself. It is such a fun alternative to just buying them!

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Any pictures/videos of your tank?

DMD123 said:

A freshwater puff like a arrowhead, Congo, hairy or humpback could work in the 30g. They are lurkers and sit around but at the same time beg and interact for food.

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Yea, I like the idea- but now I am rememebering that puffers have to usually be solitary. I really want a tank with a few fish, and some activity outside of feeeding time.

divemaster99 said:

I second the darter idea! I have 6 native tanks (2 with primarily darters) and I can just sit and watch them all day. They're very beautiful, personable fish and do great in smaller tanks (10-40G).

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Any videos?