Possibly Getting A 30 Gallon

[attibones]

My sister has to move out of her boyfriend's house and mentioned possibly giving me her thirty gallon mbuna tank. I think it's very crowded. There are five or six mbunas in there which are young which means they would need a really big home soon. I know there is a kenyi in there and a bumblebee, not sure what else.
 
Anyway, if I get this tank and double-check with her to make sure it's cool if I sell her fish because I don't want an African cichlid tank, is there anything I would have to do to the tank itself to get it ready for water at 7.2-7.6 (it's been a second since I've tested the pH)? I know she has crushed coral, but I'm not sure if it's in the filter or in the substrate. Anyway, would a good cleaning make it ready for other fish?
 
Also, I would like some ideas for a show-piece for the top or lower layer of the water column. I definitely want harlequin rasboras or something similar, as well as some type of corydoras. I like fish like angels, but I think they are a little big for this size tank. I love rams, but I don't want to deal with their sensitivity. I like fish with big personalities, something that will do well in a community and does not require its own school or shoal. Suggestions?
 
I'm not even sure I'm getting the tank, but it would be super great if I did because I could divide the twenty gallon so each betta could have ten gallons, instead of the female with twenty and the male with 2.5.

 

[RRaquariums]

Yes just wash the tank out really good and if the substrate is crushed coral don't use it.
As for a good center peace fish I've always been keen on dwarf gouramis or even a normal sized gourami in a 30 gallon would be cool.

 

[frapadoodle]

I agree about a Gourami being a great centerpiece fish. Loads of personality. I miss mine dearly.
Look to Pearls, or Honey, both lovely fish.

 

[l_l_l]

I have a pearl gourami and it is such a gracious fish!
Defenitely recommended, it also much hardier than dwarf gouramis.

 

[noobgamers]

i thinkg ourami would work as a centrepiece a shoal of 8 harlequins would do well with a group of 8 corydoras exc emerald and dwarf emerald would get too big and dwarf you could have about twelve a gourami owuld work dwarf opaline red or yellow honey although i wopuld research this more as i am no pro at keeping gourami and then a group of say 10 bullet tetras or 8 disc tetra cherry barb molly wcmm or maybe even danios but not sure on the last one yep shoudl work
 
if the substrate is coral sand take it out it will raise your ph beyond most fishes tolerance
p.s watch out gourami may be nippy so havent included guppys or platies any long finned fish

 

[attibones]

I like honey gourami. I wouldn't get a dwarf gourami because they are so prone to illness, but maybe a honey or a pearl would be a nice addition. 
 
I'm assuming that if the crushed coral is in the filter that I'll need to throw it out and do a new cycle with fresh media. Fortunately, I still have all the supplies from my last cycle. 
 
I'll talk with my sister further and see exactly how she has the tank set up. If she gives me the tank, my LFS will take them and give me store credit which is amazing. I would start out with plants first, maybe take this opportunity to try out the Walstad method.