Photo: New Axie Tank

Hi,

I recently set up a new, four foot axolotl tank for my two axies... It is currently cycling and is nearly ready for the addition of live stock. I intend for it to sit at 18 degrees celcius and house 3 axolotls, 10 white cloude minnows, many cherry shrimp and a mussel, however these will be added after the axies and a quarantine period... My set-up includes a 4ft, 190L tank, an Eheim 2213 Classic external canister filter, a 40W fleurescent light, 2 air stones and a 300W heater. I tried my hand at a slightly aquascaped layout and am very pleased with the results. All that is left to do is finish the cycle, set up an evaporation sump to keep the temp down in summer and add some high grade carbon to the filter to remove the waters slight discolourment. One thing i was wondering was what is the preferred GH and KH for axolotls?

Anyway, hope everyone likes the tank!

Get rid of the heater, you'll never need it. How big are your axies? Some of those rocks look like an impaction risk. I'd also recommend adding a few more hides.

The heater is only so the plants won't die, and when the evaporation sump is set up I will need it... There are two hides left to add (they are in their current tank) and I'm in the process of constructing a java moss platform/ shelter... The rocks are no issue, I have kept them with these stones and other smaller ones which were a genuine risk before, these are ok... Thank you for the advice

Yaimfat said:

The heater is only so the plants won't die, and when the evaporation sump is set up I will need it... There are two hides left to add (they are in their current tank) and I'm in the process of constructing a java moss platform/ shelter... The rocks are no issue, I have kept them with these stones and other smaller ones which were a genuine risk before, these are ok... Thank you for the advice

Click to expand...

It looks really nice but I agree the rocks at least appear to be a little on the too-small size and the gravel looks a little on the too-large size to me as well. Is it an optical illusion and everything is different sizes than it appears to be? Are any of those rocks smaller than your axolotl's head? What water temperature are you maintaining in there?

Hi, some are but I assure you they won't be swallowed, there will be very few bare patches as it is... The tank is currently at 24 degrees celcius to help the plants take root and speed the development of the biofilter, though like I said it will be ata comfortable 18 at all times for the axies, I would make it 16 but I fear the plants may die and know the axies will be ok...

You have seen the photo in this thread haven't you? http://www.caudata.org/forum/members/kuphie-albums-my-axolotls-picture11101-my-girl-shamrock-ate-two-2cm-rocks-when-she-still-juvenile-almost-5-1-2-inches-long-she-regurgitated-first-rock-1-week-then-second-one-stayed-her-belly-6-months-she-grew-7-1-2-inches-before-rock-manually-removed-via-mouth-she-has-since-recovered-lives-healthy-normal-life-i-now-urge-all-axie-sand-see-full-story-its-under-large-rock-belly.html

I am curious to know how those stones would not be swallowed ? I have seen sand / stone substrates that have been siliconed on, but looking at the pictures, it looks too deep.

Why provide pictures of an inappropriate Axolotl setup and then refuse to accept good advice from experienced owners?

I assure you, the substrate in that tank is an impaction risk waiting to happen. Take it from someone who knows. Switch to sand. :happy: