Help with Axolotl tank

leandrah · Mar 6, 2014

Hello,
I was hoping someone could give me some advice,

I have sand on the bottom of my Axolotl tank, and to put it bluntly - I am sick of it. I can't do proper water changes because it keeps sucking the sand up.

Has anyone tried to put Clay Tiles in the bottom of their Axy tank?
Would it be suitable or not?

HayleyK · Mar 6, 2014

People do use slate tiles just be careful gunk doesn't get stuck under it.

To tank out the sand siphon a bunch of it with each water change to avoid crashing the cycle or stuffing up your parameters

leandrah · Mar 6, 2014

Hi Hayley,
thank you

I am going to pack them in pretty tightly with aquarium silicone so I dont think gunk will get stuck underneath them

.
I have quite a few ornaments and live plants in my tank as well as 2 filters that are fully established.

If I put all of these things in tank water and take all of the sand out and add dechlornated water to the tank, will this make the cycle crash? - as I was under the impression it would still be fine because of all of my different structures?

HayleyK · Mar 6, 2014

It could be fine but it's just a precaution

leandrah · Mar 6, 2014

Thank you Hayley

I am going to use slate

HayleyK · Mar 6, 2014

Can you make a thread / post when you do I'm curious to try it but still unsure :lol:

leandrah · Mar 6, 2014

Yeah of course I will

I am thinking of doing slate all along the bottom, and along the back of the tank too. I'll use aquarium silicone to stick it down,

I'm going to do it this weekend, I'll definitely let you know how it goes

YAY so exciting for the little Axies hahaha

Boomsloth · Mar 6, 2014

Depending on what type of aquarium silicone you use it will be at least 24-48 hours for it to fully cure. If you can get a large plastic tub to keep your ornaments, axolotls, and plants in while also being able to let the filters run it will prevent them from just sitting in uncirculating tank water which will kill your bacteria after a certain time. Large plastic bins are pretty cheap and it will always be like a backup tank in case you need it.
Make sure you dry your tank completely before you use the silicone

leandrah · Mar 7, 2014

Hey Boomsloth, I set up another tank for them last night, I put one of their filters in there, and 4 of their ornaments

as well as some of their sand. This is just temporary until Sunday. I put the guppies in there too (The ones that were in the Axolotl Tank), and they looked perfect this morning.

I have decided to use clay tiles on the bottom rather, (They have not been treated with chemicals), reason being is that the slate here breaks away after it has been in water for a while - and I dont want any of my Axies to eat a piece of broken slate because it will kill them from the sharpness.

Do you think clay would be fine?

leandrah · Mar 7, 2014

The Marine Silicone says that it will be fully cured in 24 hours, should I still leave it for 48 hours?

Boomsloth · Mar 7, 2014

leandrah said:
Hey Boomsloth, I set up another tank for them last night, I put one of their filters in there, and 4 of their ornaments as well as some of their sand. This is just temporary until Sunday. I put the guppies in there too (The ones that were in the Axolotl Tank), and they looked perfect this morning.

I have decided to use clay tiles on the bottom rather, (They have not been treated with chemicals), reason being is that the slate here breaks away after it has been in water for a while - and I dont want any of my Axies to eat a piece of broken slate because it will kill them from the sharpness.

Do you think clay would be fine?

good! idk too much about the tiles except that the clay ones might affect the pH. Luckily you can test your pH before you even put the axolotls in.

leandrah said:
The Marine Silicone says that it will be fully cured in 24 hours, should I still leave it for 48 hours?

I always go by 48 hours just to be safe, especially since amphibians are a little more sensitive.

auntiejude · Mar 7, 2014

leandrah said:
The Marine Silicone says that it will be fully cured in 24 hours, should I still leave it for 48 hours?

Aquarium silicone uses vinegar as a solvent - you need to leave it 48 hours in a tank to ensure it has all evaporated. And work outside - it stinks!

leandrah · Mar 10, 2014

Hello

Its been 48 Hours,
I am going to add the water in later and only add the Axolotls in later in the week

I am not too worried about the PH as mine can go up a little, but I will definitely test it tomorrow once everything has settled. I'll post pictures up tomorrow

HayleyK · Mar 10, 2014

I know it's not good for me but I love the smell of silicone. It's like strong vinegar, makes me crave hot chips... :lol:

Can't wait to see it!

leandrah · Mar 10, 2014

Here is a little preview

It doesn't look that great because it still needs all of the decorations and stuff.

I also took thin tubing (The tubing that you put on airstones), and i siliconed it around the tank so that you cant see it and so that the airstones don't have random piping in the tank (Does this make sense?)

And I siliconed the plant cups down so that when i buy new plants - I can just put them in there and the Axolots can't knock them over

Its still messy and I need to clean up the excess silicone

Let me know what you guys think!
PS - the tiles are all the same size - doesn't look like it in the picture though

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