Starting Tank help

I would like to apologize before hand if this question has already been answered, but I would prefer to ask and be sure instead of not saying anything at all. I'm planning on setting up a 20 gallon tank for some axies, and it happens to come with an undergravel filter and all that jazz. Now, I have been checking this forum long enough to know that gravel is generally a big no no, so is it possible to still use one but have gravel large enough to avoid being swallowed? Or will the gravel be too big to be useful? I also have one of the kind you attack to the side, which I could use instead, but the undergravel filter is coming with the tank because of some deal (some poor Aquarium store going out of business, what a shame) Common sense dictates I should avoid the UGF but I figured I would ask anyway. Thanks for the help

Hi!

The under-gravel filter would be great for the use with gravel. But this will be the perfect size for the Axies to have a nibble on and get stuck in its little stomach, causing impaction and even death.

If you're using the under gravel filter, my reccomendation would be large pebbles (too big for the axie to swallow). If you aren't going to use that filter, then go bare bottomed!! It's a hell of a lot easier to clean!!

Cheers, Mike.

UGF is fine to use, but as previously posted, standard fish tank gravel is unacceptable.


http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/articles_axolotl.shtml

http://www.axolotl.org/housing.htm

Personally, I suggest skipping the substrate altogether. Axolotls are messy animals and a substrate free tank is easier to maintain proper water chemistry.

Ah, thanks for the quick replies. Sorry if I wasn't very clear, but I was meaning if I could use big gravel, like rock sized but still have the UGF still operate well enough. If it won't, then I'll go with a bare bottom as you guys mentioned.

I am an advocate of UGF, however, as you surmised, they do not work too well with axolotl safe gravel, or sand.

Even with larger sized rocks it can still be quite difficult to clean. Use a turkey baster to regularly suck up and excrement or left over food to reduce ammonia levels in the tank.

Bare bottomed tanks are very easy to keep clean, and provide a minimalistic 'contemporary' look. Don't worry about your axie slipping about, as long as he has a few piles of rock, or plants, or little caves to hide in, he'll be overjoyed!!!

Cheers, Mike.

I appreciate the help, looks like I'll be using my old waterfall filter instead. Any ideas on how I can disperse it so it doesn't bother the axies? Will turning it on low be good enough?

Hi Seizan,

I know it sounds a bit cheapo but is it possible to exchange the new unused undergravel filter for something else of equivalent or even slightly less value that would be more useful to you? Axie pellets, dechlorinator etc.

I would stick with the hang on waterfall type filter. You can disperse the water currents by adjusting the flow setting on the filter to low, by use of a spray bar, by strategic placement of ornaments/rocks/turtle island directly below filter outtake, by directing the water flow towards a glass surface and let it 'trickle' down or even by specially cordoning off a small section near the outtake with tank dividers.

The use of larger rocks with the undergravel filter defeats the purpose. The filter will not be able to function optimally. In addition, the large rocks accumulate detritus between the crevices and are even more troublesome.

Cheers

I figured as much, thanks for the help. I'm just going to use the waterfall type that I already have, and I'll just look for something to stop the water from making a current. My plan so far has been to get a Moai head and position it just right so it takes the brunt of the force