I actually set it up last night, but I have the old filter in it to introduce the bacteria. I currently have a 10 gallon with my fish in it, and the new one is a 55. I have NO loaches. i'm simply "shopping" for the fish I will someday own. I will have my water tested this week, as well as getting my own testing kit. Then I need to move my current fish, and then I need to get the neons my husband is insisting on, all before assertaining if I can even support loaches.
I'm have learned in a very very short amount of time that everything I've done in the past is "wrong", even if it DID work. I only lost fish because I totally forgot to buy a heater. I live in SWLA, and keep my house at 78 in the summer. Heat is usually not a problem for us!!!
If loaches like sand, I'd like to add a section for them to play in. but since I JUST set up this tank, I really don't want to start all over again if I can mix substrates.