sounds similar to what i did.
only I havent had to get rid of anything, luckily the spike i had was a mini spike for the amount that i stocked.
good luck with it and i hope he gets on the right track, theres alot of money to loose in bigger tanks, plus the lives of the little fishes.
I too would help to keep something till he can get it established. but my 60 gallon is pretty full.