Suggested Loach Stocking Schemes for a 38gal

[CatFishForTheWin]

Heya. New to the site, but I've been in the hobby for more than a year now. I've got a 55gal "Community" tank already, and I've decided that I'm ready for another tank now, so I'm getting a planted, freshwater 38gallon rectangular tank. I've decided that I'm not getting a temperate community, but I'm looking for other ideas. One was a Loach tank, if possible.

Now I know most loaches get far to big for a 38 gallon, though I know of some exceptions. If I were to possibly give loaches a try in this sized tank, what are some possible options, if any? Thankya.

[Tinman]

Your filtration ,tank size and decor should be suited to the fish you keep so we should start by asking what filter or filters, turnover rate and water conditions you are going to have. You will be looking at the small fish either way and a massive turnover rate of at LEAST 500 -800 gallons per hour or between 12-20 times per hour could include some of the hillstream loaches of which there are pages about set-ups elswhere on this site and could be a good place to start reading and formulating ideas.It is much easier to match your selections to the water conditions you have than making water to suit fish in a small tank like that so what are the conditions in your 55 ?

[piggy4]

Cat, to be honest i find this question a little odd, for starters there are numerous loaches available , and of all different sizes and temperements , i.e. some aggressive some docile ! as tinman says a lot will depend on the filteration , to determine the size and type of fish you can have , if you are smitten with loaches , and you are limited by space [tank size] then you will have to think long and hard to arrive at your end result ,and then you will inevitibly have to omit some in favour of others , in other words it's all about personal choice , i think that could be why not many people have answered your post , to be honest even people with a number of tanks , never really have enough room, in other words the choice is simply personal ,and MASSIVE , what you might be best doing is looking through the specie's list, and then coming back to the forum's and asking the people who keep the fish you are interested in to give you some of their valuable knowledge on your chosen quarry,
Piggy.