RE: Ground loop
The short tail moment is definately a factor, but before doing anything else, I'd go with FHHuber's suggestion... Make sure that the wheels are toed IN slightly. This will drastically reduce the tendency to ground loop, because toeing the wheels in almost forces the plane to track straight..
If the wheels are even slightly toed OUT, even the best flier would have a VERY difficult time getting it to take off with out ground looping.