Any idea how long it took me to read this whole thread ? I love your enthusiasm loach boy, it's refreshing, reminds me of me at your age.
If you get Otos, can I offer a little advice for when you do ? Try to get them after they have been in the store tanks for at least a week, and longer is better. They are lovely little fish, very entertaining, and sure do eat algae. But they are caught wild using cyanide to stun them, which is pretty common, actually. Then they don't get fed for awhile. They rely on bacteria in their guts to digest their algae for them and these die off while they are held. So when they get to a store, they are starving, but even if they eat, they might die, as the bacteria take a long time to grow back.
So if you wait, the weakest ones will, sadly, die. Then the strongest ones will be left, and you will have a better chance that they will live. Try to go at feeding time, see which ones are eating the algae tabs, because some don't learn to eat them. Get the guys who are eating and have fat bellies. They like their own company, so 3 is the very least you should keep. One will be very lonely indeed.
And also, reconsider those dwarf gouramis. The one you lost, that's very common and it is not likely caused by anything you did. It's very common for these fish to die suddenly for no apparent reason. Might be inbreeding, might be, who knows ? They can be quite shy, prefer heavy plant coverage, on top and in the substrate, slow to no water current, and while they are very, very pretty, I don't think they are good fish for beginners or for community tanks. Some have good luck with them, but many do not. Just something to think about.
When it's time for fish, make sure to look up the needs of each fish type you are thinking of. Some have needs, for size, or food or company, that make them less suitable as community fish. I happen to love loaches, especially the kuhli types. Black ones I find, are quite outgoing and often are seen, swimming up and down and around, so I like them a lot. Otos will also swim all over the place and so long as there are not too many of them, will get along quite well. Though classed as bottom feeders, Otos really feed anywhere they can find something. Black kuhli loaches do stay down to feed. I also keep cories with loaches, and so far, no problems, but I make sure to drop food in two or three places so they all get a share.
Wish you much success and pleasure with your project. I hope it all turns out just the way you want.
