Is it truly that bad of a combo as some forums suggest?

I'm getting back into the hobby and wanted to recreate a tank i kept in college. I'm looking to do a planted 20-30 gallon and I kept a combo of white clouds, zebra danios, and a betta very successfully back then. The fish seemed to be very active, in good health, and had great color. I remember I kept the tank around the 74-76 degree mark. Everyone seemed happy.

I really wanted to replicate that tank at a bigger scale, but my now I'm seeing advice that says it's a bad idea.

Anybody have any thoughts/suggestions?

I'd consider another centerpiece fish instead of the betta if anyone has any suggestions