Question: Substrates

Kyle G · Jun 9, 2014

I am planning on getting some axolotls in the next couple weeks. I do not know what type of substrate is best, basically all i know is that it does not need to be gravel. I was thinking maybe do a mixture of black and white sand. What type of sands do you recommend? Thanks

Jonjey · Jun 9, 2014

I recommend bare bottom personally, sand is kind of a pain to keep up with.

auntiejude · Jun 9, 2014

Sand should be smooth grain - playsand is ideal, but building sand isn't. Many aquarium sands are also 'rough' in terms of profile.

I have either sand embedded in silicone or bare bottom tanks i have to agree that substrate of any kind is a pain to keep clean for axies.

Kyle G · Jun 9, 2014

How is it a pain to keep clean

Jonjey · Jun 9, 2014

Siphoning sucks sand up, basting is time consuming.

HayleyK · Jun 9, 2014

Its not bad at all with sand. It may get a little bit sucked up the siphon or baster but it looks visually pleasing over barebottom. My axolotls liek to dig little holes too its super cute. As long as you siphon it correctly as well as occassionally stirring it up to prevent anerobic gases building up, then its pretty good. Just makle sure your axolotls are over 5" before adding sand as it can cause impaction in small axolotls.

Kyle G · Jun 10, 2014

Thanks for letting me know about the impaction pre 5" because i was unaware of that. Hayley, what kind of sand do you recommend? the playsand like the people above or something else?

HayleyK · Jun 10, 2014

I'm not sure what you have in America. Any play sand or aquarium sand, preferably one that's more smooth edged.

Bette · Jun 10, 2014

Bare bottom is the easiest to keep clean by far. If you want to go the sand route, I recommend fine grain pool filter sand.

layna · Jun 15, 2014

The problem with bare bottomed tanks is planting plants, there is nothing to set them in. Another problem i find is that all the gunk is very visible sitting on the bottom of the tank, sand is prettier and you can plant your plants in it :happy:

Alkylhalide · Jun 15, 2014

I found sand in my 10-25gallon tanks was a pain to keep clean, but after two weeks of my 125gallon tank being setup i decided to try sand again, i feel like it may be easier to keep clean with such space and whatnot. I hope i am right

keiko · Jun 15, 2014

I have sand in my 240 litre tank. I think it looks a lot better than bare bottom, axies like it and you can plant stuff in it. I use the kind of sand they use in sand-blasting, it's super soft and smooth (and cheap). I don't think it's particularly hard or time consuming to keep it clean. I mean you have to siphon/ vacuum all the wastes etc from the bottom anyway. Yes, you might siphon out some of the sand too but not that much if you do it right and you can just add more sand if needed every now and then.

One tip though. Don't put too much sand in there. That way you won't get the anaerobic gases that easily. I put in maybe ½ or 1 inch when I was setting up my tank and it has been enough. I also poke around in the sand with my turkey baster every time I clean something so I never have to go through all the sand at once.

charleybambino · Jun 15, 2014

I agree sand looks prettier...but axolotls are so messy that at least with bare bottom you can syphon up all of it. I anchor plants with large stones.......much bigger than the axi heads, which can then be moved for syphon in up gunk!

Gail24 · Jun 15, 2014

i tried white sand in my tanks

its coming out ..i need to clean the tanks, then i was going to put aquarium background on the bottom of the tank underneath so when i look in its a nice colour in stead of bare looking ..its so much easier to clean with no sand at all ,with the plants i tie them to they hides and i added a couple of large rocks to wedge my plants in with .

Sweetie · Jun 16, 2014

I agree with the two posters above. I too use large smooth river rocks to anchor my plants. I have a bare-bottom tank. If you want something visually pleasing, follow the suggestion of using one of those stick-on tank backgrounds on the floor of the tank. There are heaps of different designs and some of them would look fine on the floor.
If you do use sand, you can minimise the risk of axies swallowing sand by feeding them from above, training them to take earthworms from your hand or being dropped to them, or using a feeding dish. Even adult axies will root around in the sand for food and can swallow quite a lot of it.

Skudo09 · Jun 16, 2014

I have sand in my 4 foot tank and the only thing I would change is the colour (it is a bit dark for my liking). It is all personal preference really and what works best for you. I think sand probably requires a bit more patience to keep clean but I like the way it looks and don't really want a bare bottom tank. As Sweetie mentioned, the tank backgrounds would be a good option. A member on here (can't remember who now) used a 3D background (siliconed down) as a floor and that looked pretty good and something I would consider myself if I ever decide I don't like sand anymore.

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