My 10 gal tank

[tfast500]

Recently changed background to pure black

1 x loach

crushed coral substrate with driftwood
going to try to plant a few plants when water ph levels out

 

[Nitwig]

Crushed coral is not good for loaches or plants in my opinion.

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

Yeah crushed coral isn't really advisable for freshwater planted tanks as it will raise the pH and hardness. I think its only suitable for African cichlids (which get too big for your tank) and some brackish applications. I suggest either using sand (like Caribsea super naturals or pool filter sand) or a substrate specific for planting such as eco-complete, floramax, fluorite, or aqua soils such as Fluval stratum or ADA Amazonia. If you go with sand, get some root tabs since sand is inert and won't contain trace elements.