Good luck on this adventure.  I hope it goes much better for you this time. Always nice to hear of someone who's giving some fish a good home. I think most fish are sick in some form or another when you first get them, but once you have taken care of any issues, then it's easier. If they make it a month with no problems, then they're pretty healthy.

I haven't really decided yet.  I'm going back to the aquatic shop on Friday afternoon.  I definitely think I want some more barbs but I know I have to be careful what else I put in with them.  Any suggestions?  I'd like at least 3 varieties eventually.  Plenty of colour with a bit of personality thrown in :-)

I've not been in the best of health the last 6 months which is why I've left it alone.  It was either sort it out and do something, or sell the tank and I really didn't want to do that.  Things are on the mend so with some help I cleaned it all out on Sat.

ph is testing at 7.6 +.  Don't know if that's what it is or if it's higher, cos the colour the test is showing is at the top of the chart!  Put first lot of filter start in this evening.  I can get some of the ph up/down stuff if need be.

Tiger barbs and a few cory cats should fit perfectly together Hmm... maybe some tetras like common neons? Anything that doesn't have long fins, since barbs have this nipping thing going on

Help!  I wanted to get some fish tomorrow, but the water in the tank has loads of floaty white bits that have developed, and a film on the surface.  Anyone know what that's all about?

I dislodged it all and set the filter up higher, and today it's a lot clearer.  I did find a couple of other mentions of it suggesting it may have been due to stagnant water.  Not any more!  Got 7 (very small) tiger barbs this afternoon, they are all happily swimming away after a dose of live food.  They don't spread out much mind..tend to swim around together a lot.  Fingers crossed!

What do you mean is normal? Like, what is the question??
As long as the water tests are alright, there's nothing to worry about However, it may be good for you to do some research on which type of water the barbs enjoy (my rusty memory can't help). If they want soft water it's a good thing to get a piece of bog wood which will let out a certain "chemical" that will soften the water.

If you'd like me to, I could check one of my fishie books for you at a later date

Anything that dies in the tank should be removed right away or it may contaminate it Sadly, I don't know that much about shrimp :/ But it could be that the water quality isn't appropriate, or that it simply was shocked from the move.
Remember to boil the wood or wash it with really hot water and soak it for a few days In the start it releases a load of tannins which would make your water all brown!

Let's see... I'll steal some info from one of my books "Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish" by David Alderton (it's certainly recommended). Here it says that Tiger barbs come from Asia, so you would probably want to try and imitate their habitats by getting them plants that come from the same area They'll grow to be about 7cm and they prefer their water warm (20-20 degrees Celsius), soft and acidic (pH 6.5). They're very active fish and enjoy having a big swimming area, so put plants and other ornaments along the tank walls on the back and sides. Keep an eye out for ich, or white spot since Tiger barbs are especially vulnerable to it.

Aside from that, I'd recommend a few other books for you:
"The Complete Aquarium Guide" (unknown author) and "Manual of Fish Health" by Chris Andrews.
The Fish health book is very good to read through and learn to recognize certain diseases and their causes! But of course, no need to get all worried as soon as the fish have a torn fin or something. Just knowing how to avoid the diseases is usually enough.

Anytime!
Add Melafix only if you see some physical damage on the fish, like a slightly torn fin or something. I think it just takes a little while for them to get used to their place! As long as the water's alright and the temperature's stable

Sounds awesome! I'm so happy for you! Please post pics soon

No, I don't have goldfish :-)  They're tigerbarbs.  I think live crickets might be hard to come by.

The sickly one finally died last night :-(  Other 5 still look fine apart from one seems to chase the others all over the place!  I might get a few more of these before getting anything else.

I got 5 more last Friday, all seem ok, I think!