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For my new 30gl tank, I'm thinking about getting 3 schools of tetras in addition to the 5/6 female bettas, 2 otos, 2 panda cories, 1 upsidedown catfish, & possibly platys. Since it's 3 different schools, I was thinking about maybe doing the schools smaller than 6. Maybe 4-5 in each school.The tetras I'm thinking about are Lemon, Cardinal, & maybe Blue.Would that be to many fish?

I think 3 schools of tetras is too much for a 30g tank. I would stick to one large school, especially if you are adding the bettas and platies. Panda cories need to be in groups...they do better the more you have, so I would get 6.
I think upsidedown cats are also shoaling, so you would need to get about 4 or more. Upsidedown cats get kind of big, about 4 inches, so if you are going with the pandas and bettas, I would not do the upsidedown cats. Your tank would be overstocked. I think you should choose the upsidedown cats or the cories.

Here is a good stocking list:
8-10 tetras
4 female bettas
2 ottos
6 pandas or 6 upsidedown cats

That would be a stocked tank.

*Kristin*

The platys I can do without. I mainly wanted to make this a tank for female bettas & some other fish to add color. What about 3 each of the pandas & upsidedown cats, instead of 6 of one or the other? I already have an upsidedown cat so if I have to choose, that will be the one. Thanks for the post. /:'

Pandas should really have groups of atleast 6. IME they are pretty shy in anything smaller than that. I would get more upsidedown cats, since you already have one.

Then I would choose one group of tetras/rasboras, add the female bettas, and maybe a couple ottos...if you get any algae. The only thing I'd be worried about is that the upsidedown cats sometimes swim all over the tank, and not just on the bottom. I've never kept them, so I don't know if they swim in all areas alot or not. If they do, I would be afraid that the middle area would be crowded. Stick to smaller tetra types and you could fit about 10 in there.

*Kristin*

I will stick with the upsidedown cats, then.

What about adding the fish at various times? I already have 2 females & the upsidedown cat that I can put in there but w/ the female bettas, I want to make sure they wont get territorial if I add more fish to the tank.