8 cories is fine. I would avoid the type that grow larger than 2" like albinos, emeralds, and sterbai, to name a few.
Nice stock plan. The cories will hang out on the bottom mostly, the tetras in the bottom half, and the guppies in the top half. The top half of the tank might actually look really empty with only 5 guppies. You could do more guppies, or throw in some other livebearers like platties maybe, if you'd like. You might want to start with the 5 guppies, and add on over time. I know about every other time I go in the lfs I see another beautiful guppy that I cannot resist. Starting with your stock list, you'll still have room to add on those must have's down the line. I would keep just males, so you don't have to worry about becoming overpopulated with fry. Let me know if you aren't sure how to sex them.
Maybe consider some live plants? Your fish will love them and they will help keep your nitrates down. You might also find you like the natural feel they give the tank. As time goes on, I'm starting to appreciate some of my plants as much as my fish. You can choose some that are super simple, won't need special lighting or ferts like java fern, java moss, anubias, pennywort, and anacharis. Just wanted to throw the idea out there!
One thing I wanted to verify, when cleaning out the tank, you did not throw away the old filter carts, correct?
Nice stock plan. The cories will hang out on the bottom mostly, the tetras in the bottom half, and the guppies in the top half. The top half of the tank might actually look really empty with only 5 guppies. You could do more guppies, or throw in some other livebearers like platties maybe, if you'd like. You might want to start with the 5 guppies, and add on over time. I know about every other time I go in the lfs I see another beautiful guppy that I cannot resist. Starting with your stock list, you'll still have room to add on those must have's down the line. I would keep just males, so you don't have to worry about becoming overpopulated with fry. Let me know if you aren't sure how to sex them.
Maybe consider some live plants? Your fish will love them and they will help keep your nitrates down. You might also find you like the natural feel they give the tank. As time goes on, I'm starting to appreciate some of my plants as much as my fish. You can choose some that are super simple, won't need special lighting or ferts like java fern, java moss, anubias, pennywort, and anacharis. Just wanted to throw the idea out there!
One thing I wanted to verify, when cleaning out the tank, you did not throw away the old filter carts, correct?