Plan to get new tank
 

I plan to upgrade one of my 30g tanks to a bigger tank. I'd be looking at something between 50-70g the closer to 70g the better but I can't afford a new one so it's just whatever is available second hand really.

I plan to get rid of the 30g completely and split the rest of my fish like this:

35g: 4-6 cories, 2 synos and BCT

50-70g: 8-10 cories and 2 plecs

I also have a beatta but he would just go wherever he would be best suited once I know what I'm putting in the rest.

I am looking for something to fill the mid-top levels of the tanks as everything so far is bottom-dwelling although I may put a few more cories in each of the tanks as I love them - they're my favourite fish. The cories so far have got on well with the synos so I'm not concerned about that. I quite like iger barbs as well but worry aboutt he size of tank as they are active and grow quite large.

I quite fancy some schooling fish and am keen on rummynose and cardinal tetras but worry about their hardiness. I also considered zebra danios.

I also quite fancy giving bolivian rams a go. I had problems with GBRs before but reckon this was because of territory issues with the synos so they could go in the bigger tank without problems (I think).

I want mainly small schooling fish but would also like one or 2 slightly larger fish to occupy the mid- and I'm really not sure which type of fish I would like here so open to all suggestions.

I also quite fancy some guppies. Probably all females as I don't want fry and I prefer the females to the males. I could handle a few batches of fry so if they had already been mated that would be fine - just not constant suppies of fry. I might try a few platties but would have only females in this case.

So basically I don't see any issues with these fish but would still like suggestions for other fish as I'm not decided yet and would like a community tank with a variety of fish (especially the bigger tank), and also not yet decided on who will go where so looking for some suggestions, and any advice on the fish I have mentioned as I haven't kept any of them before. I've also never kept much of a comminuty tank bbefore for any length of time.

Thanks.

Re: Plan to get new tank
 

Cardinals aren't really that sensitive. While some are wild-caught, it's just a matter of careful selection and acclimatization. They may be more expensive than the neons but they are far bigger, prettier and hardier than most neons in the trade.

Rummies can be difficult to transport. I would advise buying a lot more than intended in case you expect losses as you go into the acclimatization stage. They are, however, long-lived and hardy once they become acclimated to your tank.
Congo tetras?

For upper level, I like Common Hatchetfish. Though, you will need to provide some plant cover for them to make them happier. Apono Ulvaceus are FAST growers and mine love hanging out in them. :)