Loach questions

[bmxer4ever]

well the other day I decided to try a small maybe 1.5" clown loach, that or a 6-10" and its for a 12 gallon, so I didn't feel like running around town finding one in the middle.
2.5 days later it died. I'm thinking maybe PH shock, but I spent about 45minutes acclimating the dang thing... was going good till end of day 2.. then it just was half way curled and wouldn't stop convulsing...hours later, same thing. left for work..come home..dead....
nitrites 0
nitrates about 35
ammonia 0
ph about 7.7
oh well back to the store with the receipt in the morning...

Sorry to hear that, could be your nitrates and your ph IS a little high for Clowns.
Do you have any driftwood/bogwood in your tank?
If not, get some before you get another Clown. Their natural habitat is streams and rivers with a lower ph than you have, due to rotting vegatation and wood in the water. Driftwood will help the ph drop naturally. 6.6 - 7 seems to work well with my guys...
Also watch for temp changes when you are transporting your next Clown - these guys don't take well to the cold, so make sure you insulate the next one.
Hope all goes well, keep us informed and good luck.
What temp is your tank running at?