40G Breeder Stocking

[joe17]

I recently got a 40g breeder tank in exchange for a 37g tank. I am not sure of the stocking for this tank but here is what I was thinking of adding to the tank

one pair of bolivian rams
one pair of peal gouramis
7x serpae tetras
7x rhomb barbs
6x sterbai corys

Now here is my question: is it better to get a pair each of pearl gouramis and bolivian rams or just single fish of each species? 3 of one and 1 of the other? As for the pairs -one male and one female each or two females each?

Edit: the substrate will be pool filtration sand, heavily planted with driftwood and a homemade cave covered in live plants for hiding. Lots of hiding spots provided with many live plants to decorate the tank. This will be my first attempt at planting a tank.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Do you already have other fish that are going to be going into the tank? Sorry if you made it obvious, just wanted to make sure And might you decide between the barbs and tetras? One big shoal looks a lot better than two small ones. Just a suggestion

 

[joe17]

I don't have any of the fish yet, the 37 gallon was being set up when I found the 40 gallon. I decided that I might as well go for the latest - the bigger the better! I am still waiting to meet with the person to do the exchange so I can set it up and begin cycling it. The fish listed is my temporary idea for the future stocking of the tank.
 
As for the barbs and tetras, I would really like to add both since I love the tetras and my boyfriend loves the barbs. The barbs' presence is also mandatory to the set up of the tank in the living room

 

[joe17]

Just a quick update: so I just got the tank and measured it - turns out it is a 55g tank. It is very dirty and needs a good cleaning but will be set up shortly. Any advice on how to properly cleab the water? I heard boiling water and vinegar was the best way to go. Any opinions and/or experiences with that?