kahuna

I see many photos with what seems to be the standard aquarium rocks as substrate and the profiles show loaches. Everything I read on loaches says they require a sand substrate

Can I have a loach with the basic aquarium rock you would purchase at a PetSmart? What kind would be available for a 55 gal. but keeping on the small side?

AlyeskaGirl

They prefer sand but you can use gravel and fine gravel.

Butterfly

I have had them with both substrates and they are fine with both. Just make sure the graves isn't sharp because they like to dig in it. I got pea gravel in a huge bag for less than the pet stores had gravel at lowes. You just have to rinse the dust off of it.
carol

kahuna

Well my tanks are already set up and running with just your standard aquarium gravel. I would love to have a loach, but it sounds like it would possibly be a damaging situation.

rt12

Gravel is perfectly fine. They do prefer softer substrartes but they can live with it. Playground sand is cheap and would be great, just be sure to wash it before you use it. As for what loaches to put in a 55 gallon, I would recommend the khuli loach. They like being kept in groups and get no bigger than 4 inches i believe. They are also very peaceful so they make great tankmates.