Advice about setting up a new tank for aquatic newts

[georgeangler]

Hi Everybody,

I am new to keeping newts and would like some advice on setting up a new tank for aquatic newts.
I have a 800 x350 x 450h (31.5" x 14" x 15" h) aquarium that i am going to set up in my spare bedroom/study. I am going to use an internal filtration system (Fluval 3 plus)
Can anybody give some advice about the following points:
Cycling the new set up, how can this be done as quickly and safely as possible so I can get some newts into the tank, without endangering their health?
Water changes?
Stocking level of Newts?
Feeding routine?
Gravel vacuming?
Position of internal filter in tank?
Lighting the tank, how many hours per day?
Should the tank have lots of hiding places and should there be lots of natural or artificial plants.
+ anything else that I should be taking into account that i have not mentioned?

I intent to keep spanish ribbed newts and have 4 sub-adults on order they are due to arrive tomorrow, which i will keep in a small tank until my set up is ready to recieve them

thanks

George

 

[John]

Re: advice about setting up a new tank for aquatic newts

You posted this in totally the wrong place (it does not go in the Forum Questions section - that's for how to use the forum). Secondly these are really basic questions covered plenty of times on the forum and in the caresheets linked on the site. What is so hard about doing your research?

 

[Mark]

Hey George, I've just sent you a PM answering much of this. The P.waltl care sheet can be found here: http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Pleurodeles/P_waltl.shtml

I hope the newts arrive safely . Shout if you have any more questions.