aquascaping idea

[Gruntking]

So my home internet is down due to a storm that passed by earlier today, so please bare with me on this one and disregard andly spelling mistakes as I'm submitting this from my hd7.


My gf and I need some help and opinions on how to dothe aquascape on our 75 gallon.

Here is where it stands now..

Stock:
4 Jewel cichlids
4 Convicts
3 Africans
Gt and JD
All these fish are about 2 inches

Filtration:
Rena xp3
penguin 350


We just replaced the black gravel that it had to white sand and I like how the tank is currently looking alot more . We have 2 pieces of driftwood that we usually stack that are about 18-20 inches between the two horizontally. We also have a large piece of rock which they sell at most LFS, that is an imitation of coral .

We currently have the driftwood on the left hand side and the rock on the right and it makes the tani look pretty nice. I don't really like how fake the rock looks though and the fake plants that come on it. I was thinking of taking the rock out but that would mean the tank would look empty and the fish would have less hiding spots.....

Ok, what would you guys and gals suggest me to get.... My gf likes stackable rocks but with our stock I'm not sure it would be a great idea. I also like thebidea of some live plants to lighten up the tank and all but have no experience on this. Or maybe even try and buy a 3 foot +piece of driftwood for the tank..

What do you sugest?
I will be getting some pictures up as soon as I get internet at my house, thanks in advance.

 

[Gruntking]

Well heres what the tank looks like now...

 

[Gruntking]

Will be giving the silver dollar and koi a new home soon...

FEEL FREE TO POST SOME IDEAS!

 

[The Bass Hole]

a lot of rocks, caves, caverns for all the cichlids

 

[Gruntking]

So something like the rock on the right but without all the fruity colors?

 

[Dissy]

Are the Africans there as food for the JD and GT?

 

[DMD123]

Get rid of the fake coral structure. Maybe try some Texas holey rock.

 

[rustyspurs]

hi, in the past ive found slate to be a great material to use for this type of thing. ive built horizontal caves as well as volcanoes type structures for my tanks. all you need is a little silicone. my convict has claimed my volcano and the smaller fish automatically search out the smaller structures. this was how the tank used to look with turts though

it has far more decor now.
and this was my first effort and tank which shows how the smaller caves can look

 

[Gruntking]

Are the Africans there as food for the JD and GT?

The Africans are actually bigger than the JD and GT
But i do know that the JD and GT get big, we will see what will be done as time progresses.

 

[Gruntking]

hi, in the past ive found slate to be a great material to use for this type of thing. ive built horizontal caves as well as volcanoes type structures for my tanks. all you need is a little silicone. my convict has claimed my volcano and the smaller fish automatically search out the smaller structures. this was how the tank used to look with turts though

it has far more decor now.
and this was my first effort and tank which shows how the smaller caves can look

Thanks for the idea