is this aquatic newt habitat ok?

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koala

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I am thinking about getting an aquatic newt from my local pet store. Would this be an ok habitat for one? I made a floating raft by using a styrofoam bowl, and I even made little newt stairs on the side with cut barbecue skewers so that the newt won't drown. I also put a few rocks and a fake aquarium plant in there. The box is about 1' long, and it has a tight-fitting lid with small holes in it. The water is about 2 1/4" deep (I'm thinking that's probably deep enough for a very small newt). Do you think this is good for an aquatic newt? I will try to upload pictures as soon as I can.
 
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Here is a link to the pics (there are three)
 
Also, would I have to treat the water first? It is just regular tap water. And another thing, could I just feed my newt salamander and newt food?
 
Your setup looks OK as a temporary, or quarantine setup. I would not recommend it for long-term. I would recommend an island that is secure to the bottom of the tank, rather than floating, and easier to climb up on. A flat piece of something resting on a stone or Lego structure, for example.

Most newts refuse to eat newt and salamander food. Also, that stuff tends to foul the water quickly.

Please read our FAQ, as these will help you avoid a lot of problems. Newts are not the easiest pets, so think carefully before you get one. Pet shop people are fairly clueless about what they really need.
http://www.caudata.org/cc/faq/faq.shtml
 
Thank you, I'll find something else for the platform. But do you think that the box is too small, even for a very small newt?
 
I have several boxes exactly the type you have. I use them for raising a few larvae, or for temporary housing for a single adult. I always include a small airstone (driven by an air pump) to keep the water oxygenated. The water volume is very small, so you will need to do partial water changes frequently and without fail. The smaller the amount of water, the less "room for error". A newt can be maintained like this, but you'll enjoy a tank where you can SEE the newt (and his conditions) better.
 
file_273.jpg
Here is an updated picture of th "island" in the box. I wedged in between two rocks so now it stays on the bottom.
 
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