Big congratulations!! šš„³š
I originally really wanted german rams too, but I was put off by the requirement for a high temperature and the dodgy genetics. I also found that once I started looking into apistos, there are many varieties that are just as beautiful (my favourites are Macmasteri and Agassizii), and some even more beautiful with very expressive faces. I don't feel short changed by keeping apistos over rams, my apistos are hands-down my favourite fish, both beautiful and funny with proper personalities. There are also some which don't mind harder water like cacatoides and borellii, as
@mort said, they are a very varied group. And if you want to get really nerdy about it there are some amazing rare wild species too. Apistos technically can live in less space than rams too, but the more space the better.