Wouldn't recommend even the mild mannered cichlids. As the second quote from the second link says, even though the problems may be less extreme, they are still there because of the different 'body language', and this is chronically stressful if the clown loaches have to deal with it for their lifespan of decades.
If this wasn't clear, it would be in the loaches' best interest to be kept without cichlids, period.
I believe I can help you get an idea on making a mix of calm and flowing areas, though. One of my 473 liter tanks has a Sicce XStream 8000 and 2 Sicce Voyager 4's, oriented right at the top and slightly angled upward.
This allows intense current in the top of the tank plus lots of surface agitation for riverine fish, but a calm, slower area at the bottom for slow water fish. Your tank may require slightly different orientation of the pumps, but the principle of having all the pumps in 1 area to keep a distinct flowing and calm area is the same.
If this wasn't clear, it would be in the loaches' best interest to be kept without cichlids, period.
I believe I can help you get an idea on making a mix of calm and flowing areas, though. One of my 473 liter tanks has a Sicce XStream 8000 and 2 Sicce Voyager 4's, oriented right at the top and slightly angled upward.
This allows intense current in the top of the tank plus lots of surface agitation for riverine fish, but a calm, slower area at the bottom for slow water fish. Your tank may require slightly different orientation of the pumps, but the principle of having all the pumps in 1 area to keep a distinct flowing and calm area is the same.
