new and in info. overload mode

[old_n_spacey]

Hi, I'm Kat and I'm new here.
I have recently been reading any and all info. available on the net about cichlids and have managed to completely confuse myself.
I had a awesome & very successful 75g. cichlid tank many, many moons ago, but the 70s were really hard on my gray matter and I don't remember a whole lot.
After many months of begging and pleading (and pouting) I have finally convinced my SO to allow a 29 g. tank. His only experience with aquariums was a 5g. goldfish tank *ugh* when his kids were little and he found that one to be a big pain.
I know that a 29g. is too small for cichlids, but I'm still holding out hope that I can have a few. I set the tank up with lots of hiding places/rocks and sturdy, artificial plants. It's in the process of cycling now.
The problem is, I live in a very remote area I call Podunk. My choices for fish suppliers is limited to A. the local mega-mart or B. a large chain pet store an hours drive away. To make matters worse at the local store, although their tanks appear healthy and clean, their only choices for cichlids are melanochromis auratus or kribensis. It's discouraging enough to make me consider chucking the whole cichlid idea and go with a community tank. Is there a way to continue the cichlid dream given my choices?
Also, when filling the tank I chose to fill from our deep water well rather than the town water supply. Then I read that some cichlids can't handle the well water? I haven't tested the Ph yet, but I know that our water is on the hard side.
And if I'm not mistaken (again), have I really read that it's possible to keep some tetras with some cichlids to fill in that area of the tank where the cichlids don't usually roam?
Sorry for the long post. P.S. I'm hoping that when my SO sees how enjoyable a tank can be, he'll agree to a larger tank. (I've already got the spot picked out)

[Glaive]

Tanganyikan dwarves should do okay in that tank and they do great in hard water.

[spifff2003]

i agree with glaive as a matter of fact i'm starting today on a 29 for dwarf tangs.

as far as choices for purchasing fish go have you thought about mail order?

[aharris]

Depending on how hard you are talking about, the kribensis would also go nicely in a 29g. You could also keep some tetras or smallish rainbows with them and a cory cat or two. Kribbies are pretty mild except when breeding and even then, I found that most things could keep out of the way of mine.

[cichgirl]

Is your heart set on African? If not you could get a firemouth and throw in some swordtails or tiger barbs....

[old_n_spacey]

Thanks for the great advice. My heart is not set on africans, so maybe the firemouth would be the way to go. I have considered mail order, but again I'm talking about living in an extremely rural area and I have my doubts about our rural letter carrier or the only and one UPS delivery man treating the order with promptness and care. Got alot of thinking to do yet.
Thanks again.

[aharris]

How close are you to the nearest large airport? I pick mine up direct from the air carriers most times. If you are willing to put a drive into it and make a day of it, this might be an option for you.

[aharris]

Additionally, I notice that you are in Arkansas. How close are you to Little Rock? I get regular emails from a place there called Northside Aquatics. They would almost certainly have what you're looking for. Again, you might have to make it a day trip.

[Bane]

You could always go with some Pseudotropheus saulosi is classified as a dwarf-mbuna from Lake Malawi they only get to be 3-4 in should do well. Males are blue with black vertical bars, and females are a beautiful, deep yellow.

[aharris]

It's not the size that counts; it's the need for territory and the aggressiveness in claiming it. Dwarf mbuna still tend to have personalities that out-grow a 29g in most circumstances. If he were going mbuna, _maybe_ a trio of yellow labs or rusties in there. They are much milder mannered.