CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Hi, I'm new to the forum but not new to cichlids.  I have a new 58 gallon aquarium that is in the process of cycling and I still can't decide what to put in there.  I originally bought it to house one large fish but have since decided not to go this route.  I am particular to south and central american cichlids.  I was thinking of some combination of angels, rams, and other smaller cichlids.  I also though of getting a pair of jewels and a pair of convict cichlids.  Does anyone have any more suggestions as to what I should get?  I would prefer to stay away from discus and other expensive fish. 
My tank currently has sand as the substrate, rocks, and some live plants.  My pH is 7.6.  The water temp is at 80 degrees but I can lower/raise it to suit whatever fish I choose.  Other fish I've considered include severums and native fish.  I haven't ruled out any fish other than really expensive fish and large fish such as oscars.
Thanks in advance!

I decided to go with 2 angels and a few different species of dwarf cichlids.  I picked up a pair of rams and a pair of checkerboard cichlids last night.  They are already showing more color in the QT.  I can't find any nice looking koi angels right now though.  

Welcome to the forum!  Keep us posted on how it goes!

Hi and welcome 

Post us some pics would be great to see your fish and set up x

Here's a list of my fish

58 gallon
3 cory cats (planning on at least 3 more)
1 oto (planning on a few more)

55 gallon
1 3 inch green terror
1 2.5 inch green severum
1 5 inch pleco
1 3 inch leporinus
1 5 inch african brown knife
6 zebra danios
this is my grow out tank-we are buying a house next year and are getting a large tank.

10 gallon
1 2 inch green spotted puffer

...and a crowntail betta.  He keeps my QT cycled for me when it's not in use. 

I have a pair of checkerboard cichlids, a pair of blue rams, and a pair of kribs in my QT (going in 58).  I plan on getting a pair of koi angels for the 58 gallon.  I also plan on getting a red severum for the 55 gallon once my QT is empty. 

My GSP

My GT about a month ago

My severum when he was in QT.  His color has come out nicely now that he's in the tank.

My betta
For some reason I can't upload the picture of my new tank.  Anyhow, it's a planted tank (or will be once it fills out some).  I still need to get a background and hide the wires better.  It's been up for a few weeks now. 
I don't have any full shots of my 55 gallon or my new dwarf cichlids.  I'll post some once I take some pictures. 
I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for that, I really enjoyed looking at them, you should post them in the gallery, the gallery is quite new so we are trying to build it up. Do you have any tips on taking pics of fish and tanks? I cant seem to get it right  . There are a few pics of mine in the gallery, guess it doesn't help using my cam phone lol.  Watch out for that Leporinus they are well known for nipping fins and feeding off body mucus, I want one my self but cant find one the right size! I love ur GT he's very cute. You have some supurb fish x

Thanks for the comments. 
When I take pictures I put my camera up against the tank to reduce the flash.  I take several pictures to get one good one.  I use my digital camera.  It has a setting for taking pictures up close and I get good results from that.  Some fish run from the flash.  Also, you can hold the camera upside down so the flash is on the bottom.  That makes the light reflect from the bottom resulting in better lighting.  As you can see the flash still shows up sometimes. 

Thanks for the feed back on taking pics, some usefull tips I will definatly use. I'll look forward to seeing some more of ur pics x