Newbie axolotl tank advice

Cruso · Oct 14, 2012

Hi everyone! I am new to the axolotl world so I thought I would post my tank set up to make sure I'm doing things right.
First, he is a 5" wild type juvenile and the tank is a 26g deep (16" deep rather than the usual 12"). He has plenty of hiding spots, live plants, sand bottom, driftwood, box/corner filter, dish, and some cherry shrimp tank mates.. which don't last very long.

Here is a photo of my tank. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52861706@N05/8086244425/ by Shayna Hartley, on Flickr

xxianxx · Oct 15, 2012

Nice looking tank, the only things I would recommend are some floating plants to provide surface cover and some shaded areas, you will find that surface plants allow the axolotl to feel comfortable enough to hang sub surface. Also a hide that an axolotl can completely cover it self with, quite often they will just stick their heads into a hide but it is nice to provide the option. Not sure how deep your sand is from the picture but it should be no more than an inch deep to prevent anaerobic activity.

Cruso · Oct 15, 2012

Thanks for the suggestions! There are some full body hides behind the driftwood and plants, and the sand is about 1.5" deep so next change over I will lower it. I will also add some floating plants. Thanks again!

Olivia97 · Oct 16, 2012

I cant quite see from that picture but just be careful if theres no lid, axies can jump

axiekeeper · Oct 17, 2012

Dont worry about your sand bed. Deep sand beds have been used for many many years in tanks containing very pricey saltwater fish for the exact purpose of anaerobic bacteria.

Ive got an inch and a half of dirt then an inch and a half of sand on top that. With plants you will need more sand, just stay away from five inches of sand cause that would be far too much but three inches is common practice.

An inch and a half of sand would not even be considered a deep bed so your easily good either way. Ive.had a fish tank with.that depth and deeper spots for last 15 months and only problem ive had is the buggers breed too much.

Very nice tank by the way!!

ShadowRancher · Jul 31, 2013

I really love the look of this set-up!....I prefer not to use artificial decoration so this is right up my alley. I'm new to the forum and haven't figure out how to save a thread so I'm commenting to keep this for reference

mikeg · Aug 1, 2013

Your tank looks great! love the all natural look to it. A 26 gallon tank is plenty of room for a axie you can even put another one in later on if you want and they will still have lots of room. For sand i agree with axiekeeper i keep 3 and a half inches of sand in my main tank but it is heavily planted and in my other axolotl tank i keep about a inch because they dont have any live plants.

pookiewn · Aug 1, 2013

Your tank is beautiful, very natural looking

You might wish to take those smaller stones out, most of them look fine. If we had the same mouth size as an axie we could swallow a basketball, so as your axie grows it will be able to eat them. Just to be safe than sorry.

ShadowRancher said:
I really love the look of this set-up!....I prefer not to use artificial decoration so this is right up my alley. I'm new to the forum and haven't figure out how to save a thread so I'm commenting to keep this for reference

At the top right of this thread is are a few green titles, under the thread tools you will find the save thread button

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