setting up a 55 gal for barbs and loaches

I've had my tank set up for a while now but I've been trying to decide what fish to buy, I think I'm going with tiger barbs and clown loaches but I was unsure of how many fish I should really put in my 55 gal.

p.s.: I already have one clown loach (my pet store convinced me it was ok to just get one...) and he is pretty large compared to the other fish I can find at local stores now, is it okay to put younger smaller clown loaches in with him?

Clown loaches do prefer to be in groups, but not recommened for a 55 gal because they can grow to large.
A group of three small ones would be fine for a while, but you will have to be prepared to eventually rehome.

The tiger barbs and loaches will work together. I would get a group of 10 or 12 tiger barbs for that size tank.

what other type of loach would you recommend instead of a clown loach?

also can I put the green/albino varieties of tiger barbs in with the regular ones?

Personally, I would go with a group of dwarf chain loaches. The yoyo loach could work as well, they are very active but do not grow to the size of the clown loaches.
All the different colors of tiger barbs will swim together, so mixing the colors will make a nice display.

how many dwarf loaches could reasonably fit in a 55 with the barbs, also would the barbs and loaches work well with one red-tailed shark?

I think you could go with 10 or 12 dwarf loaches in a 55 gal.
I am not sure if they would be compatible with a red tailed shark. My guess would be that there would be problems.
The sharks are known to be aggressive and can become even more aggressive as they age.
I think keeping another fish with the shark that shares the bottom ground, would be asking for trouble.

The tiger barbs swim more in the top and middle of the tank, so is more likley to work with the shark.

ok, i'm glad i asked, thanks a lot

just so I know my options, how many yoyo loaches do you think would be good for that size tank? and are they as active as the dwarf loaches?

I have not kept the dwarf loaches, but I have yo yo loaches and clown loaches. What I have read, sounds like dwarf loaches and yoyo loaches are very similar in personality and activity levels, only the dwarf loaches are a lot smaller.
My yoyos are extremely active, they make full use of their 210 gal tank. I think you could get away with 6 yoyo loaches. Be sure to offer some caves and hiding spots.