Loaches are awesome, but I just did the same thing. I went with Filament barbs...4 of 'em. They got big fast and are all over the tank all of the time. A ton of activity and very colorful, or Roseline sharks....expensive though.
I did the same thing. Wanted some dithers....loaches were too small. I went with Filament Barbs. They are awesome. fast and constantly moving. They are nasty lil buggers when it comes to feeding. A ton of color also. I got 4 of 'em and they are inseperable.