you could do a school of small fish. ie. tetras, rasboras, rainbows, etc...... and grow your school instend of big fish. dont doubt the awe of a huge school.
some do. but some stay small and growing a school and having to thin is easier then trying to get rid of fish you cant house. and knowing you raised generations of fish is cool. he is looking to upgrade in years, not months so i am guessing here, he is not looking to go 200+ from a 29.