46 Gallon African Cichlid Tank $400 Budget

[oscarfish1395]

Hi all,
I haven't been active for quite some time and would like to pose a question about a set up i was recently asked to do. My friend has asked me to set up a 46 gallon bowfront aquarium for him. He wants it to be an african cichlid set up and seeing as I do not have much experience with african ciclhids. The budget is $400 and i already have the tank, fluval 304 filter, and light, which is stock with the tank. Any input and suggestions for the set up ie: fish, substrate, decorations etc. would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Ben

 

[zebvance]

sand and some river stones with a nice small piece of drift wood. I would do some diffrent veration of labs and keep it simple. There are yellow white tiger ect

 

[creepyoldguy]

Are you saying that you have $400 and already have the tank set up and filter? Or you have to buy everything for $400?

 

[oscarfish1395]

I already have the tank, filter, and lights. I have $400 to spend stocking and decorating the tank

 

[oscarfish1395]

^

 

[creepyoldguy]

You could go pick up some pool filter sand, and grab some rocks from a river or stream and call it a day on decor. Spend the other $388 on any of the fish you want!

 

[zebvance]

You could go pick up some pool filter sand, and grab some rocks from a river or stream and call it a day on decor. Spend the other $388 on any of the fish you want!

+1 that's what I did.

 

[aclockworkorange]

I would suggest some crushed coral on the substrate to buffer the ph up. I would stick with that and some rockwork for African cichlids. Look up some african Cichlid biotopes to get some ideas. My favorite Africans are julidochromis, because they're weird little fish with funny personality.

 

[gomezladdams]

Aragonite sand with limestone and slate stacked rock formations.You should be able to find rock from a local landscape supply for cheap.That close to the southwest you might be able to get texas holey rock cheap.That would look cool as well,and help keep the water hard and buffered.Either way rockwork should reach nearly to the surface in at least one spot.
3-4 male and 8 female pseudotropheus saulosi.Wont find a better mix of color and activity in mbuna that arent too difficult for the beginner and wont break the budget.They are on the small side too so the tank will look busy,some mbuna get a bit large for a 46g and end up looking like a bunch of too big fish getting in each others way.