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Axolotls are illegal in California. Please read this thread for detailed information and links to the actual laws: https://www.caudata.org/threads/axolotls-are-illegal-in-california-here-are-the-relevant-laws.30779/
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Cons & Pros of sand?
- Thread starter emeraldd
- Start date
SludgeMunkey
New member
That is a shame you do not feel like reading about it since this site and the sister sites of the organization spell it out quite often.
But, at least you are honest.
Try Caudata Culture and the forum search functions to find the answers you need.
But, at least you are honest.
Try Caudata Culture and the forum search functions to find the answers you need.
Kerry1968
Active member
I'll say just briefly, if you have a fairly thin layer of sand (up to an inch) then it is easy to maintain and clean, personally I have a bare-bottomed tank and it is definately the easiest to keep clean.
But Johnny is right, reading around the site is honestly the best way to find out about everything axolotl. You owe it to your new pet to make sure you've got everything spot on in his new home.
But Johnny is right, reading around the site is honestly the best way to find out about everything axolotl. You owe it to your new pet to make sure you've got everything spot on in his new home.
I've done a lot of research. I just wanted something simple that i could make a decision with 
I've gone with sand, by the way. I bought the sand they use in kids sandpits. At the moment, it's in 2 buckets which i filled with water using a hose with high water pressure. There was a lot of foamy stuff on top, so after a few hours, i tipped the water out & did the same thing with hose so it can stand over night. I'll probably do this for a few more days, atleast 4, & then get my tank
I've gone with sand, by the way. I bought the sand they use in kids sandpits. At the moment, it's in 2 buckets which i filled with water using a hose with high water pressure. There was a lot of foamy stuff on top, so after a few hours, i tipped the water out & did the same thing with hose so it can stand over night. I'll probably do this for a few more days, atleast 4, & then get my tank
blueberlin
2010 Research Grant Donor
Hi emeraldd,
The foamy stuff is dust from the sand. Good to skim it off, otherwise it would be in your tank. :happy:
-Eva
The foamy stuff is dust from the sand. Good to skim it off, otherwise it would be in your tank. :happy:
-Eva
Greatwtehunter
New member
You really don't need to let the sand sit overnight. As soon as you fill up the bucket you can dump the water out, it should take you about 10 or so times to get the sand clean. Letting the buckets sit overnight just allows the fine particles of sand to settle again which will keep your water cloudy in the tank if you put it in like this.
Coastal Groovin
Active member
Pros
1. If you animals ingest sand the chances of your animals suffering from impaction is
greatly reduced.
2. It is easy to clean as most the waste will sit on the surface
3. Plant roots spread easily though it.
4. Some animals like Sirens will bury themselves in it.
5.You don't have to worry about food falling into crevices and getting lost and fouling
the water
Cons
1. Cleaning and removing the dust from the sand can take up a half hour of your time
2. Sand deeper than a half inch can build up gas and smell if not mixed up regularly
3. Some sand will be removed while cleaning. So some sand will have to be added
over time.
1. If you animals ingest sand the chances of your animals suffering from impaction is
greatly reduced.
2. It is easy to clean as most the waste will sit on the surface
3. Plant roots spread easily though it.
4. Some animals like Sirens will bury themselves in it.
5.You don't have to worry about food falling into crevices and getting lost and fouling
the water
Cons
1. Cleaning and removing the dust from the sand can take up a half hour of your time
2. Sand deeper than a half inch can build up gas and smell if not mixed up regularly
3. Some sand will be removed while cleaning. So some sand will have to be added
over time.
whyjune1st
New member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2008
- Messages
- 35
- Reaction score
- 8
sand is great until you have to replace it
Well, it looks to me as if sand wins. Im happy to give up my time in order for my pet axie to live a nice life, and replacing sand is no biggy as i have quite a bit of it at the moment & we have a Bunnings store close by.
I got my tank today so I can start cycling it too!
Also, did you know Sea Monkeys are brine shrimp How cool is that.
I got my tank today so I can start cycling it too!
Also, did you know Sea Monkeys are brine shrimp
How cool is that.
Darkmaverick
Site Contributor
Sea monkeys are artemia aren't they? Anyway, i just wanted to say i loved BillYannone's list of pros and cons of sand substrate. This is the kind of simple and practical information that new members will find very useful.
Coastal Groovin
Active member
I was reading about Sea Monkeys on their web site and it claims they will reproduce in a couple weeks of hatching in their little sea monkey tank. Has anyone ever tried to cultue these?
Shizeric
2010 Research Grant Donor
I have never tried to culture them, but owning several sea monkey colonies as a child I would support those claims that they do reproduce...a lot.
Jan
Site Contributor
emaraldd,
Regarding 'sand' as a substrate, perhaps you know or perhaps you do not know that there are many types of 'sand' available. Some sands are suitable while others should not be used. If you are unfamiliar with the various types, see this article from our Caudata Culture section for sands that can be safely used:
Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Substrates
Regarding 'sand' as a substrate, perhaps you know or perhaps you do not know that there are many types of 'sand' available. Some sands are suitable while others should not be used. If you are unfamiliar with the various types, see this article from our Caudata Culture section for sands that can be safely used:
Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Substrates
Michael - Your welcome :] I've seen quite a few threads on substrate but they were really long & repetitive & complicated... So i just asked for something simple, & that's what i got.
Bill - I've had them as pets numerous times. They aren't hard to look after but you need to follow the instructions carefully & make sure you're around for the first week or so that you have them :/
Shizeric - Hahahaa yeh, they reproduce quickly & have lots of eggs at a time.
Jan - You're a bit late... They decision was made long ago & I've already read that article.
Bill - I've had them as pets numerous times. They aren't hard to look after but you need to follow the instructions carefully & make sure you're around for the first week or so that you have them :/
Shizeric - Hahahaa yeh, they reproduce quickly & have lots of eggs at a time.
Jan - You're a bit late... They decision was made long ago & I've already read that article.
Jan
Site Contributor
I'll take that as a thank you for taking the time and interest to help you - not knowing if you had seen the article. You are welcome.
GemzD26
New member
Hi,
Just my 2 cents, i like sand its a good surface for axolotls to walk on easy to clean and eash to bery things into.
I have tubes and pipes for the axolotls to swim and walk through and the sand keeps them grounded.
Just my 2 cents, i like sand its a good surface for axolotls to walk on easy to clean and eash to bery things into.
I have tubes and pipes for the axolotls to swim and walk through and the sand keeps them grounded.
Re:Sea Monkeys
I had a successful batch of sea monkeys, they only died because I didnt have any stuff to replace the water. They definitely reproduced in their wee plastic enclosure, I took them on a hot, long car ride, most of them died, but the remaining few definitely reproduced and got the numbers back up they were fun, but not as fun as axolotls!
I had a successful batch of sea monkeys, they only died because I didnt have any stuff to replace the water. They definitely reproduced in their wee plastic enclosure, I took them on a hot, long car ride, most of them died, but the remaining few definitely reproduced and got the numbers back up
they were fun, but not as fun as axolotls!- No one is chatting at the moment.
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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
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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
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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
Clareclare:
Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus...
+1