Newts in bad pondwater

[wandering]

Just joined the forum after buying a tank for my fish from an axolotl keeper. So been reading threads and ordered a book to read in bed 'Newts and Salamanders' by Frank Indiviglio. Before long I discovered that some newts go permanently aquatic after they enter the water to breed.

Only a few days ago I did a water test on my other half's pond and found it was loaded with ammonia. He had been concerned because the frogspawn had not developed this year. There are no fish. I am an experienced aquarium keeper and gave him some stones and bacteria from my tank sponges to put in his pond and instructed him to leave the pump flowing ALL the time. The pond is around 6ft by 8ft and has a old fashioned sink at one end so that the pump (old style hand pump) pours water into the sink which overflows into the pond. I told him to put the stones in there among the existing rocks. In that way the sink should act as a biological filter. We also discussed him putting in more plants. (only a water lily and a couple of water soldier at the moment). I figured it might be cleared after a couple of months. Did think about clearing the sludge in the bottom but thought it might be better to get the filter going first.

Now for the question. He has seen newts in the pond. He's never seen newts in there before. I hadn't been concerned because I didn't realise the newts would be aquatic (thought they would get out again after breeding). The book says their skin changes etc so they have to stay in the water. I would hate for the newts to die in there. We don't even know what sort they might be. Don't think it would be advisable to remove the newts from the pond as I don't have enough knowledge about keeping them, and not even sure that would be legal. In my tanks I would normally increase biological filtration by pinching filters from my other tanks and do water changes and add an airstone for circulation to get
a quicker clean up. Really not keen to stir up the sludge too.

Anybody have any suggestions, please?

[mr cyclone]

The Newt's will leave the water if it's not suitable mate

[Rodrigo]

Most species usually leave the water after the breeding season is done. If conditions are optimal, some individuals may linger in the water for longer, or even remain aquatic year-round, but you should expect most of them to disappear after breeding.
Wild newts and captive newts can behave rather different. Many, if not most, species in captivity will remain aquatic year-round with apropriate care, most wild animals, won´t.

[peter5930]

Originally Posted by mr cyclone

The Newt's will leave the water if it's not suitable mate

The smart ones will, anyway.