Need Tips On Kuhli Loaches!

[Riso-chan]

I posted a short while ago about wanting to trade my swordtails in for some kuhlis to lower the bio load. I don't mind that these fish are nightowls, because I myself am one. But I need some info wanted to be sure of some things.
1.Would this at least in some part reduce the mess, and digging up of plants?
2.What should I do to prepare my tank for these fish?
3.Should I wait for the water chemistry to adjust to a smaller bioload before
adding the loaches?
4.How many kuhli loaches would be reasonable to add to my tank(55gal)
without creating more problems?

 

[OrionGirl]

1. Not sure what mess you mean--but kuhli's won't bother established plants in the least, and they do go through the substrate pretty well, keeping it loose and cleaner (still won't reduce solid waste, but less food goes uneaten).
2. Nothing--they will find cover, and are compatible with your other stock.
3. Nope--the bacteria will decline to the new bioload on it's own. Removing fish, letting it die down, then adding more fish, will be counter productive.
4. I'd go with at least 5 or 6. They are very active little buggers, and in a group will be more social. The black kuhli is much moire active than the striped. I have both, and can always find a handful of the black, but only 1-2 of the striped at any given time.

 

[mooman]

I'm confused, the swordtails were digging? I don't know jack about loaches, but i can answer this:

3.Should I wait for the water chemistry to adjust to a smaller bioload before adding the loaches?

No need, the bacteria load will automatically adjust to a smaller bioload.

 

[Biznatch]

I have 3 black right now and for some reason they keep trying to dig under my clump of glosso. I swear all 3 of them take turns trying to get under there even though they have plenty of other places they hide. They can actually go completely under now so I don't know whats up with them. Plus they love to try and dig all around the base of my plants looking for food or something. I have sand and they don't like to go under it like they did with the gravel.