Lardeelion
Aquarium Advice Freak
I think it's wise not to push the stocking limit of a tank. There's nothing wrong with being fully stocked, but for a new tank, being understocked gives you wiggle room, and it's generally more prudent. If you're just getting started, you're bound to make mistakes, as we *all* do, and if you're not at the tank limits, those mistakes may not be as difficult to recover from. A tank is an evolving thing. Many people enjoy the process more than the end result. An understocked tank doesn't mean an uninteresting tank at all.
I have a 29 and it's not *that* big. They're only 18 inches tall, and when you add substrate, you have several fewer vertical inches. In my humble opinion, there isn't room for a "mid-level" schooler. My cories spend plenty of time going up and down and my "upper level" fish easily cover the top 2/3rds of the tank. I had a vague stocking plan in my head for my 29, but when it was up and running, I found less was more.
My point is: enjoy the process of picking your fish and take time to watch them before adding more. I think the OP can have a great-looking aquarium with an entertaining stock.
