i find that the deeper the water is the better. i have had my newts now for about four months, and they are slowly getting accustomed to me hand feeding them. eventually they should become tame enough to be handled but you should give them time i.e. dont try and pick them up immediately. try to get them to hand feed, this itself will take some time but once they are confident doing that then they could be coaxed into your hands. BUT BE GENTLE! do not take them out of the water as this stresses them out.