Stocking Opinions!

[AshleyNZ]

Ive seemed to post about this alot, but I'm quite indecisive.
I have a 50-53 gallon tank and I currently have 
One bristlenose Pleco
One mystery snail, which I might remove, it's been snacking on my plants, grr.
 
So I have a gazillion questions. But I'm wanting to do this as best as I can. 
I would like to have three schooling groups, to add lots of colour and variety. 
The store im getting them from has said I can have 15 Neon Tetra for free, after I got Neon Tetra Disease, and had to euthanize all of my neons about a week ago. 
I am wanting to have:
15 Emerald Eye Rasbora
6 Peppered Cories
15 Harlequin Rasbora
15 Neon Tetra
And some gourami of sorts ( I'm wanting pearl but have heard very mixed opinions.)
 
Now, the reason I want three different schools is for a rainbow of colours (Red, blue, green, orange/yellow and pink)
And also because of the price. 
Peppered Cories: $14
Emerald Eyes $3
Harlequins $5-6
Neons Free
Pearl Gouramis $15-20
 
People are saying I should cut down the number of species and just have like two groups, but I would like to have variety...I'm definitely open to opinions though.
 
Any input at all is appreciated. 

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'd say that you are overstocking a bit, and by cutting down to two of the three midwater species, and bumping their numbers slightly will lead to a better display. Another option is to trade out the Harlys for hengeli or espei rasboras instead, they are slightly smaller, but would limit your gourami options.

 

[AshleyNZ]

I'd say that you are overstocking a bit, and by cutting down to two of the three midwater species, and bumping their numbers slightly will lead to a better display. Another option is to trade out the Harlys for hengeli or espei rasboras instead, they are slightly smaller, but would limit your gourami options.

Could you come onto the chat, I need to ask further questions :3

 

[AshleyNZ]

I would probably bump the numbers to 20 of each Emerald Eye Rasbora and Neon Tetra, as they're both nice and colourful and not too active. 
Would I still be able to have the six cories and the pearl gourami?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I was thinking more like 18 than 20.  
 
 
Yes, the cories and gourami would be ok with those fish.   

 

[Byron]

I also see no issues with the mix of fish.  The Pearl Gourami would probably be best as a trio, one male and two females.  The male can be demanding, and two females would spread this out and you have space.  Lots of floating plants though, and here Water Sprite (Ceratopteris cornuta) is ideal.
 
If you can get the two rasbora JD mentioned, I definitely would; these are excellent with Pearls (and many other gourami too).  Trigonostigma hengeli is my favourite because it has that lovely shiny copper "comma" but T. espei is nice too.  A group of 12-15.  These are mid-water fish.
 
The Emerald Eye (Brevibora dorsiocellata) will shoal with the former, though on its own it might tend to remain a bit higher in the water which could get it close to the Pearls.  The neons are lower-water.  Cories in a group of 8-9 also fine, and I would increase them here.
 
Byron.

 

[AshleyNZ]

I will probably increase the cories further down the track, as they are super expensive. 
I think I might stick with perhaps 18-20 Neon Tetra and Emerald Eyes, and 6 Peppered or bronze cories