My loaches have been with the o. lamprologus for 3 weeks now. I added them days to the tank before the o. lamprologus and right now the loaches are more dominant than the o. lamprologus. I have lots of shells, rocks, but also have one piece of african driftwood which the loaches have claimed. The loaches have been in my water which is 9.0 for a long time and they are doing great. I totally understand what you're saying but I think I'm going to leave the loaches in with the o. lamprologus for now and if I ever need to move them there is room in my community tank.