Boey,

U got to be more specefic in what sort of cichlids you are going into....
I am assuming you are going for Malawis ..... afterall they are the most common cichlids found in any LFS. Malawi Mbunas prefer rocky setup with sandy substrate. Some are sand sifters which means they rummage through sand for food and use them sandy substrate to clear out their gills. Stack the rocks high and make lotsa nooks and crevices. Advice is not to put in any driftwood as any decaying matter will soften your water (not to say that Malawis are not adaptable) just that they will not often show their true splendour in acidic water. You can overstock on fishes.. but makes sure your mechanical filter is good. In any case..... don't be fooled by LFS in buying the Jewel Neon (Hemichromis Bimaculatus) and Texas Cichlid (Herichthys Carpinte) as the former is a West African that prefers a river setup and the latter being a Central American which grows out too large for African Rift Lakes.

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