Neke
New member
Hey,
I'm trying to set up an axolotl tank - I've never had an aquarium before so I've been reading up on Axolotls a lot to make sure i get it right. The tank is 2ft x 1ft x 1.5ft and it came with an internal power filter - TC-500, if that means anything. It doesn't have much information, only that it does 420 Litres/h. Is that good enough for my tank? It says you can adjust the flow, which is the only thing of importance I've noticed in my research. I'm going to be using sand, even though the pet shop attendant told me that it will mess with my filter. Every shop I've been into has strongly recommended small gravel, claiming that axolotl's pass it easily. I ignored them and bought sand anyway, but is there a special filter i need that won't get wrecked from it? The attendant just looked at me like I was insane when I insisted on not getting gravel.
I've also got a water testing kit, a glass bowl for food, a syphon and a light that came with the tank - what strength bulb can i put in so it's not too bright?
I was going to pick up some Java fern, Java moss and Anubias from the aquarium shop. Are there any other plants that go well? I've looked around the forums but haven't really seen many others mentioned. I know that axolotls rip plants up, but I wanted to make some dark little corners.
I read somewhere that it's ok to put a couple of glass or cherry shrimp in with an axolotl - is that true? And if so, would it be better to put one in while I'm cycling it or do i just leave the tank with plants and water until it's ready for the axolotl?
I've also had some trouble finding hides - aside from pipes, I can't find anything. I wanted to get something that looks nice, as the tank will be living in my lounge room. All the tunnels in local aquariums have rough/sharp edges and I read somewhere that these could scratch an axolotl - is that true? A friend gave me one that looks like a log, but the edges are still really rough - is there anything I can put on them to make it smoother?
Finally, my tank has a hood but no glass lids. Will this be enough to hold the little guy in? I've read they can jump, and the hood has a gap in the back for cords.
Is there anything I've forgotten before I set it all up?
Thanks a lot, any comments would be greatly appreciated =)
(sorry that was so long!)
I'm trying to set up an axolotl tank - I've never had an aquarium before so I've been reading up on Axolotls a lot to make sure i get it right. The tank is 2ft x 1ft x 1.5ft and it came with an internal power filter - TC-500, if that means anything. It doesn't have much information, only that it does 420 Litres/h. Is that good enough for my tank? It says you can adjust the flow, which is the only thing of importance I've noticed in my research. I'm going to be using sand, even though the pet shop attendant told me that it will mess with my filter. Every shop I've been into has strongly recommended small gravel, claiming that axolotl's pass it easily. I ignored them and bought sand anyway, but is there a special filter i need that won't get wrecked from it? The attendant just looked at me like I was insane when I insisted on not getting gravel.
I've also got a water testing kit, a glass bowl for food, a syphon and a light that came with the tank - what strength bulb can i put in so it's not too bright?
I was going to pick up some Java fern, Java moss and Anubias from the aquarium shop. Are there any other plants that go well? I've looked around the forums but haven't really seen many others mentioned. I know that axolotls rip plants up, but I wanted to make some dark little corners.
I read somewhere that it's ok to put a couple of glass or cherry shrimp in with an axolotl - is that true? And if so, would it be better to put one in while I'm cycling it or do i just leave the tank with plants and water until it's ready for the axolotl?
I've also had some trouble finding hides - aside from pipes, I can't find anything. I wanted to get something that looks nice, as the tank will be living in my lounge room. All the tunnels in local aquariums have rough/sharp edges and I read somewhere that these could scratch an axolotl - is that true? A friend gave me one that looks like a log, but the edges are still really rough - is there anything I can put on them to make it smoother?
Finally, my tank has a hood but no glass lids. Will this be enough to hold the little guy in? I've read they can jump, and the hood has a gap in the back for cords.
Is there anything I've forgotten before I set it all up?
Thanks a lot, any comments would be greatly appreciated =)
(sorry that was so long!)
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