just to catch you up

Question
QUESTION: i thought i might fill you in i hope you remember me and my 90 gallon malawi tank
so now i have 8 malawi munba in my 90 gallon i did my readings for the first time in 2 years and everything was good but the ph was low so i am going to get limestone for more rock scape i bout a rio 600 power head well just cause i thought it was cool the fish really enjoy it i still have my crappy aqauclear 300 but.... i am either getting a canister filter or a bio wheel for 90 gallons could you help me decide and my grandpa is going to build me a stand on sunday also i will have 4 of each fish i have now so it should end up

4 yellow labs
4 acei
4 kenyi
1 red zebra hes struggling he gets  picked on moving him to quarantine as soon as i get my angles out
and 1 albino pindani same as zebra
i have a chipoke im taking back he will be to aggressive i believe but im just going to get a lot of female fish i was thinking about 15-20 to cease agression ut im redoing to rockscape and such now for the questions

what is a good diet i can start them on to bring out there color?
what is the best light to use for freshwater with sand i have 1 strip of fluorescent tube now 40 watt but its old?
what is the best canister for 90 gallons or bio wheel for 90 gallons?
I have a 20 gallon quarantine tank that is empty but is running for babies if i have any or for hurt of juvenile cichlids before they can be introduced is that alright if they have the same water qualities?
and i think thats it your my favorite expert so yeah and anything i you think i need to know im all " eyes"

ANSWER: Hi Devin,
I personally like Eheim or Fluval.  All my aquariums run on these canisters.  I have tried the bio wheel, but prefer the fluval or Eheim.  There are lots of pros, and cons, but in my experience the Fluval or Eheim did a better job for me.  I wouldn't have anything else.  Fluvals are cheaper and do a great job.  I really like the fluval cannister.  The 405 would do a great job, but this is up to you, and what you feel is right for your 90 gallon tank.  Go and see them in your pet store, see how they work, and take the one you like best.  Don't be intimidated by the seller.  Fluval is a very good product, and is much cheaper than the Eheim, and I feel they do the same job.  Some people love the Bio Wheel, but for me I preferred the cannisters.
Feed your fish well.  Make sure they are getting vitamins, and vary their diet.  Buy a good flake specially made for African Cichlids, along with bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, Grill, pellets.  Spirulina is very important for African Cichlids.  There is a special flake you can buy for their colour.  Never overfeed them.  Fish who are getting good food hardly never get sick, so make sure they are getting vitamins in the food that you buy.  In the long run you will save.  Sick fish costs quite a bit to cure.  Keep their water clean, free from ammonia, and nitrates.  Make water changes every week, and serve them good food, and they should be in heaven!!
Don't overstock your tank...this to is very very important.  Three females to a male is the rule.  Remember that females are aggressive too, and make their territories just like the males.  Provide lots of hiding places.  I have seen females as well as males rip each other apart, so go easy on buying too many fish.  
When it comes to light in your tank, I would have to know if you plan on having a built in hood, or are you using the hood that came with your aquarium.  Too much light is never good for fish.  If you have a built in hood, then you could put two flourescent tube lights on your aquarium making sure that it is at least 12 - 18 inches away from the top of your water.  I don't know what type hood you have, but usually they come with the right lights.  
If you plan on breeding, a 20 gallon tank is good as long as it has the same water as the main tank.  The female should be removed, and put in the 20 gallon as soon as you notice she is pregnant.  They are mouthbrooders.  Try feeding the female even though she has the eggs or fry in her mouth, she may eat a little.  After the fry are born, she is no threat to them.  They frequently go back into her mouth.  Feed her well before putting her back into the tank, as she will be weak.  She carries the eggs in her mouth for 15-18-23 days, so you can imagine, she needs good food once the fry are free swimming.  She would be in no condition to return to the main tank, and have more fry.  You will have to feed the fry 4 times a day, and make water changes everyday until they get bigger, and eat less.  It's lots of work, and lots of observation.
Concerning your PH, you could also buy crushed coral.  This would also bring your PH up, and keep it there.  Do this slowly when adding to your tank.  You don't want to bring your PH up quickly as this is very bad for fish.  Bring it us slowly by adding 2-3 handfuls of coral, then wait a day, and check your PH, if it isn't high enough, repeat, and wait a day, and check it again, and so on.
Never feed your fish feeder fish, or any other live fish.  Some are full of disease, and your fish would get sick if they ate one.  There is no nutritional value in feeder fish, so avoid giving this to your fish.
I hope I covered all your questions, if not, write back to me.  
Remember, and I know I am repeating myself, but don't overstock your tank.  There is a big temptation to do so, but don't, you will live to regret it.  This is one big mistake that fish lovers do, and end up losing there fish.  Always remember that the fish will get bigger.
Hope this will help, and thank you for the compliment.
Lynda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: your awesome but how many fish would be good for a 90 gallon and i have 1 strip that rest on the hood but if i have extra money after buying the filter im going to buy new lights maybe are the blue lights good for fresh water ?

Answer
Hi Devin,
I would say around 15-18 cichlids, depending on their size, or the size they will reach when adult.  Try to buy them small, you will have less problems.  If you add fish after you have put them in, always rearrange you tank.  This is because they are so territorial, and the fish you already would have in your tank would have made their home, and would defend it aggressively.  Changing your decor when adding new fish, makes it so they lose their space, and have to find a new one.  While they are busy making a new territory, they won't be thinking of attacking the new fish you put in.  Make as many hiding places as you can in rocky formation, and a sandy bottom is best for African Cichlids.  You don't need a pleco with these fish as they do love to eat algae.
The blue lights are pretty, but the Aftican Cichlids are so colourful, you would be best to stick with white.  The blue lights penetrate deeper in an aquarium, and shy fish into hiding.  I think you would be better off with white.  Later on, maybe you could make a high hood, and install two lights.  An aquarium is very expensive when we start, but we can always add on to it later.  You have already come a long way, and it will be beautiful.
Lynda