Question about African Lake Cichlids

I have a friend who has a grooming store. Another friend gave him a 75g setup.
First he wanted 2 Oscars and I talked him out of that. Now the woman who set the tank up for him said he wants the really "colorful" cichlids. I am thinking it's the yellow labs etc. from the rift lakes in Africa. I'm trying to talk them out of getting them since they know nothing of this type of fish. I also read they need a higher PH and different water not a regular fresh water tank. They seem to think that if you get them young they will acclimate to a regular ph. The question is am I right? Don't these fish need higher PH, a more alkaline water? I want him to have a nice tank in his store but have fish you can take care of properly,jmo, maybe I'm getting to silly over this. Then the woman setting up the tank for him is saying all she has to do is add baking soda or something like that to the tank as a buffer and it'll be fine?

Thanks fermentedhiker, I thought that was the story. It would be an awsome tank I'm sure, but if you're starting out at least get something you can handle. He wants something cool!

Thanks livebearerfreak, if they insist I'll mention that to them.

Well you know how people are, you just want to help and make sure they can enjoy and healthy tank. And I certainly know how hard it is at the begining. He got 2 Oscars, 1 JD and one other fish I can't remember now. They're small now but eventually they will out grow that tank. He said he can return any fish to the lfs he got them from...oh well. Hopefully everything turns out good!

Thanks Pitbull and RisiganL