Need to start again - please advise

After losing all my Mbuna cichlids yesterday to a faulty heater - overheated, I now need to consider what to do next.  I don't feel I would want to restock with Mbuna but, as you will see from the pic below, the tank has been specifically set up for them.  So my question is - is there anything else that would be happy in this environment (sorry, I look into the Mbuna before i set up the tank but my other fish knowledge is limited).

 How sad - get a hit man to sort the MD of the heater company.

But, seriously, your tank looks great, I'd reconsider  your view re restocking with Mbunas.

S

 I agree with steviebobs, you've got to restock with Mbuna - don't let a set back stop you. These things happen.

 you have a lovely tank,makes mine look like a childs toy !

Wow, thank you so much for the comments, coming from you guys that makes me feel very good!

 Hi such a cracking looking tank,such a shame what happened!

I agree maybe reconsider restocking with mbuna?

But it would make a great livebearer tank - espcially mollies,brackish or even a marine tank{fish only?}

Oooh, would it be possible to convert a jewel to marine? what would it entail - as you can see that was the overall look we were going for - maybe that would be a thought!

 There are lots of ways of doing it but the simplest would be to get a protein skimmer and some live rock. If it's fish only thats about it really. Getting a skimmer to fit the tank will be fun but it's possible.

I'm not a salty keeper so hopefully there will be someone along in a bit who can advise. If you search some older posts as well - i'm sure karim had a trigon converted into a marine tank.

For goodness sake dont give up, it wasnt anything youve done and even if it was we all need to learn. Faulty equipment could happen to each and everyone of us, although i can understand you feeling down hearted its a tragic thing to happen. Take comfort in the fact that your tank looked great and it was no way your fault and it sure would look great as a marine tank if you have the time and money to do it. Good luck i hope to see tanks of the new fishs soon, di

a heater could pack up in a marine tank just the same, I KNOW  [:'(]

Yes you can use a Juwel tank for marines but is it really what you want?

I'd say, if you hadn't really thought about marines until now then stick with cichlids as it's already setup

Good luck in whatever you decide

 Hi basically a marine set up would need living rock and a protein skimmer oh and salt and a hydrometer but a refractometer is more acurate!

A fish only marine would definatly be possible,but as Richy has said a heater can pack up in any tank so don't blame yourself, but if you fancy changing your set up for different fish then i say go for it

If you decide to go down the marine route,do some more research but don't let the science blind you

Many thanks for the advice and comments.  My thinking currently is not to re-stock with Mbuna but to keep the overall look of the tank.  I have taken out gravel and replaced with sand and rocks have been removed - going to use quartz.  So, I'm hoping this will lower the current pH of 8.0 to give me scope to try other fish - not entirely sure what yet!