If you would still like to keep Cichlids, there are some that are planted tank friendly. Its the larger ones that tear things up.
Dwarf Cichlids like Apistos (really awesome fish), Gold and Blue Rams, and Bolivian Rams are all plant friendly Cichlids. Also,
Curviceps Cichlids and
Checkerboard Cichlids would work.
And all those would work in a community, if you wanted tank type of setup. I would choose 1 pair though...as they can be fiesty, despite their size. With the Apistos, its better to keep most of those in trios (1m/2f).
I'm not familiar enough with predators to suggest any.
