Back What's new
By:
Filters
Caudata.org: Newts and Salamanders Portal

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Did you know that registered users see fewer ads? Register today!

Substrate for plants and axolotls?

F

firereptile

New member
Joined
Dec 29, 2014
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
MA
Hello, I'm setting up a new tank for my juvenile axolotls and I was hoping to keep some basic plants with them as well.
What substrate do people use that works for east plants but is not dangerous to axolotls.
Thanks,
 
Bette

Bette

New member
Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Messages
975
Reaction score
18
Location
Massachusetts, USA
Sand is the safest substrate, but you should hold off using it until your juveniles are close to mature. Otherwise, it could cause impaction.
Until then, you could get some anubias, moss balls, or a floating plant like duckweed, salvinia or frogbit. Anubias can be attached to anything, and do well in low light. In fact, duckweed and moss balls also do well in low light.
 
L

LSuzuki

New member
Joined
Mar 20, 2014
Messages
926
Reaction score
12
Location
Ohio
I planted a cryptocoryne in a very small clay flower pot with soil topped with sand and just set it in the tank. It seems to be working well. I am about to do a couple more flower pots with more cryptocorynes and some anubias.
 
sde

sde

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
1,891
Reaction score
48
Location
Seattle area Washington
Plain play sand that you get at a hardware store is very cheap, safe, and looks pretty natural as well - you can get a 50 lb bag at Home Depot for under $5.
 
layna

layna

New member
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Messages
1,268
Reaction score
14
Location
north east
Childrens play sand is cheaper than pool filter sand and is safe.
Whichever sand you chose to get make sure you rinse and rinse and rinse and even then your tank may remain cloudy for a few days until it settles.
I bought little tank safe plastic pots and i put my plants in there, i fill around the edges with pebbles and cover with sand to stop the axies getting the pebbles.

If you want to plant plants under the sand you can buy little plastic anchors that you put around the roots and bury under the sand but whatever you do, axies tend to dig them up so be prepared to keep replanting!

Another option is to buy driftwood/ornaments ect and tie your plants to them with fishing wire.
Or just buy plastic or silk plants :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
  • Shane douglas:
    with axolotls would I basically have to keep buying and buying new axolotls to prevent inbred breeding which costs a lot of money??
     +1
    Unlike
  • Thorninmyside:
    Not necessarily but if you’re wanting to continue to grow your breeding capacity then yes. Breeding axolotls isn’t a cheap hobby nor is it a get rich quick scheme. It costs a lot of money and time and deditcation
     +1
    Unlike
  • stanleyc:
    @Thorninmyside, I Lauren chen
     +1
    Unlike
  • Clareclare:
    Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus Japanese . I'm raising them and have abandoned the terrarium at about 5 months old and switched to the aquatic setups you describe. I'm wondering if I could do this as soon as they morph?
     +1
    Unlike
    Clareclare: Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus... +1
    Top