I'm just about to set up me new 75 gallon tank. It's inhabitants will be a few Jack Dempseys. For the substrate I'm going to have a very fine sand. I was wondering if I would be able to keep live plants with these fish. I know that cichlids are known for demolishing plants. Does anyone know if this will work out. For my filter I have a wetdry filter that pumps 500 gph. And if I do have live plants, I will build a DIY co2. For the lighting I'm just going to buy 48" shop lights from Home Depot. I know these bulbs that come with it don't provide that much U.V. but will two of these shop lights be enough, or will I have to buy new bulbs. (the tank will recieve a small anount of sunlight.
75 Gallon Planted Cichlid tank?
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Cichlids are notorius for digging. Plants dont' generally like being dug at 
You may want to re-think having cichlids or plants cause they are generally not a good combination.
You may want to re-think having cichlids or plants cause they are generally not a good combination.
It can be done with potted plants...either that, or place heavy stones around the base of the plant, preventing the cichlids from digging them up. Be sure to use tough plants though(sword plants, anubias, java fern, etc) and avoid delicate stem plants.
I figure I wont spend alot of money at first with the plants, if it works out, I will slowly add more. And I will make sure they are planted and buried with some rocks. If anyone else has any info on past attempts with cichlids with live plants, please share your results.
Just be careful not to crush the plants' crowns and/or stems with the rocks, give them some "breathing room". The main thing you are trying to prevent is the cichlids digging up all the gravel from around the roots.