lilacdragon7
New member
- Joined
- May 13, 2008
- Messages
- 59
- Reaction score
- 2
Hello. Newt beginner here.
I dated a guy who had a Japanese fire belly newt, Nubs. He got his name because of his nubs for fingers. /snicker. He had a beautiful 50 gallon he did nothing with. After attempting plants and a few crabs, all but good ol' Numbs died. He left it desolate and empty.
Well, we have since split and I have come away with a passion for the creatures. I have begun my set up; 20 gal. tall, under gravel filter, large, soft gravel as substrate, a perfect, fair sized water log and a thermometer. The water is in the tank, the filter is running, (after a few set backs, which lead me to saw the tubing and lower the carbon filter. It didn't seem to work till it was submerged.) the water log is ... being a water log, and I got the gravel in there. That's the start. My first question, is a simple carbon filter enough to keep 3 newts and 3 ghost shrimp happy and clean? I have a water siphon which will come in handy with the water changing, also to clean the gravel a little more thoroughly.
I also plan to get some plants. I'm definitely going to get some Anubias and Java Moss, but I was also gonna attempt three shoots of Lucky Bamboo. I know it's not naturally aquatic, but I'm thinking if I build up a bit of substrate so the lucky bamboo is standing in only an inch of the water, maybe I'll be able to pull it off. I also REALLY want to get some floating lilies for the newts to rest on. My second question, what kind of lighting should I be looking for. I know it's possible to burn newts, but I know a low watt florescent light should be alright, I'm just wondering how much?
NOW, when looking for newts, I know the smaller, the more likely they'll need more land, I have a set up with a ton of water (four-five inches of water and the water log and the upcoming plants). I'm wondering how I can tell I got a really healthy specimen in front of me. I know for a fact the newts I'm looking at are Chinese fire bellies; smooth, black skin, small, splotchy orange, not grainy in texture. I remember my ex buying some of these a while back when Numbs' tank was thriving, but they were so tiny! One began to look pregnant from over eating and the other just sat atop nubs and ate nothing and did nothing. I watched as they slowly died, and I couldn't bare my heart braking like that again. I want to make sure I walk away with some healthy babies.
I know there's a possibility of the newts eating the shrimp, if the newt is big enough. I was hoping to get a few red clawed crabs... will there be gang wars in my tank? Possible newt limbs floating around after being clipped off by the crabs? I can find tiny sizes for all of these specimens, the place I go to has a huge selection. I'm just concerned of the hate crimes.
Let me know of what you think. I'm looking for a suggestion on a good water treatment. I have water treatment for my betta, made for bettas, I'm not sure if that would do for my newt tank.
Also, should I get testing strips?
I dated a guy who had a Japanese fire belly newt, Nubs. He got his name because of his nubs for fingers. /snicker. He had a beautiful 50 gallon he did nothing with. After attempting plants and a few crabs, all but good ol' Numbs died. He left it desolate and empty.
Well, we have since split and I have come away with a passion for the creatures. I have begun my set up; 20 gal. tall, under gravel filter, large, soft gravel as substrate, a perfect, fair sized water log and a thermometer. The water is in the tank, the filter is running, (after a few set backs, which lead me to saw the tubing and lower the carbon filter. It didn't seem to work till it was submerged.) the water log is ... being a water log, and I got the gravel in there. That's the start. My first question, is a simple carbon filter enough to keep 3 newts and 3 ghost shrimp happy and clean? I have a water siphon which will come in handy with the water changing, also to clean the gravel a little more thoroughly.
I also plan to get some plants. I'm definitely going to get some Anubias and Java Moss, but I was also gonna attempt three shoots of Lucky Bamboo. I know it's not naturally aquatic, but I'm thinking if I build up a bit of substrate so the lucky bamboo is standing in only an inch of the water, maybe I'll be able to pull it off. I also REALLY want to get some floating lilies for the newts to rest on. My second question, what kind of lighting should I be looking for. I know it's possible to burn newts, but I know a low watt florescent light should be alright, I'm just wondering how much?
NOW, when looking for newts, I know the smaller, the more likely they'll need more land, I have a set up with a ton of water (four-five inches of water and the water log and the upcoming plants). I'm wondering how I can tell I got a really healthy specimen in front of me. I know for a fact the newts I'm looking at are Chinese fire bellies; smooth, black skin, small, splotchy orange, not grainy in texture. I remember my ex buying some of these a while back when Numbs' tank was thriving, but they were so tiny! One began to look pregnant from over eating and the other just sat atop nubs and ate nothing and did nothing. I watched as they slowly died, and I couldn't bare my heart braking like that again. I want to make sure I walk away with some healthy babies.
I know there's a possibility of the newts eating the shrimp, if the newt is big enough. I was hoping to get a few red clawed crabs... will there be gang wars in my tank? Possible newt limbs floating around after being clipped off by the crabs? I can find tiny sizes for all of these specimens, the place I go to has a huge selection. I'm just concerned of the hate crimes.
Let me know of what you think. I'm looking for a suggestion on a good water treatment. I have water treatment for my betta, made for bettas, I'm not sure if that would do for my newt tank.
Also, should I get testing strips?