Adding rocks to the tank

[12345]

I just bought a Spanish newt, my tank set up is fairly basic, fully submerged filter, almost half full of water, and a floating newt dock of a decent size. I've had the newt for 3 days but it's very small and it seems to be struggling to get to the top and I haven't seen it using the dock yet.

I'm planning on adding a slanted rock to give it a surface to climb on to and up to the dock. I found a solid piece of old concrete with large rocks embedded in it near my building, which I boiled for half an hour to get rid of all the bacteria and then thoroughly washed.

Is this ok to use? It seems to have some dirt particles still on it after extensive washing and boiling but I figure that's because it's concrete... apologies if this question is stupid.

[Jeff Altenburg]

Plants should be a better choice for getting access to the surface, wood and rocks work well too.

the newt isn't going to get out of the water completly, and p.waltl are very awkward looking at all times.

[Jennewt]

Are we sure about the species? Is it Pleurodeles waltl?

It is NOT a good idea to use concrete in an aquarium. Concrete is made with lime, and the lime will affect the pH of the water (it will become alkaline).

If the newt is struggling to get to the top, or seems stressed in any way, I would recommend turning off the filter (temporarily) and lowering the water level. Add some plants (live or fake) where the newt can rest near the surface.

[12345]

ah ok thanks I wouldn't have thought of the lime levels thing. I'll be sure to buy some plants. I guess they don't need to be on land that much, I was just wary of the filter being too strong for it to get up on the floating dock I bought but I think it's just energetic and likes the water maybe. Oh and it's definitely the p. waltl species, looks identical to the photo and was labeled as such at the pet store.