American Cichlids - anyone keep them ?

[Turn7]

Missing my tank, so planning a new one with something I havnt tried before

My last set up was a 600 litre Malawi tank with 3 big external Eheims.

The new plan is a 5x2x2 open topped sumped tank, open topped so I can get big plants growing out the top hopefully.
I know plants and cichlids arent great, but I like a challegne lol. Will us something like easycarbo to get the plants growing well without C02 aggro.

Anyways, I know very little about americans and thats what I want to stock with.

Still in my learning stage as to whats what with Americans...Fish Id like would be Green terror,tapajo red caps, firemouth neon and std Rams, corys/catfish....let me know your thoughts guys


Sample ideas of scapes....

[Joshsl]

Got no advice but I have a few other cichlids and haven’t had any problems with them eating my plants, my widow tetras on the other hand are partial to a leaf or 10