Aquatic Newt Build and Journal

[minorhero]

Fluval U1 and then I have a little airbubbler with a sponge filter on it because I was getting biofilm with the filter alone.

In a different newt tank I tried using intank filters for a bit including the U1 but I was never happy with the job they did.

You can try just using the sponge filter, or use a small canister with a ball valve. The later requires you to make or modify a top to use the lily pipes. That is obviously my preference, but I have a good amount of diy ability. You can also drill the tank and install bulkheads and use a canister filter if that makes it easier.

 

[mrbgilson]

In a different newt tank I tried using intank filters for a bit including the U1 but I was never happy with the job they did.

You can try just using the sponge filter, or use a small canister with a ball valve. The later requires you to make or modify a top to use the lily pipes. That is obviously my preference, but I have a good amount of diy ability. You can also drill the tank and install bulkheads and use a canister filter if that makes it easier.

That sounds very complicated for me haha I will opt for the sponge filters haha

 

[elleseajay]

Its been a while but I would love an update. I recently got my alpine newts and would love to see more of your tank!

 

[minorhero]

Its been a while but I would love an update. I recently got my alpine newts and would love to see more of your tank!

It has been a while!

The tank is going great. I did end up rescaping after about a year due to plants getting a big big for the tank etc. So I'm currently in the growout phase again. The newts finished this years breeding a month or so back. I think I have around 20 larva swimming around in a couple of other tanks. The biggest change this year compared to previous years is implementing the use of a yarn spawning mop to collect and move eggs. This made life a LOT easier. Before I was cutting plants to remove eggs which you can only do so many times and I still missed a lot of eggs. The adults don't hunt the babies but accidental predation from both going for the same food took its tole.

Here is a picture of one of last years babies before the rescape. It's probably my favorite aquarium picture ever.

And here is what the aquarium looks like today. It's water change day and I haven't done the maintenance yet, but you get the idea.

The marsilea angustifolia carpet still needs to grow out more and I added some Eriocaulon sp. "Vietnam" that was overflow from other tanks to this one and its just starting to grow in a bit. The lilys are growing but they need a bit of trim from the older leaves this week. In another 2 months it will look really great and I'll try to take some proper pictures

Bottom line is that this aquarium is a runaway success. If anyone is wondering if a high tech newt tank is possible, I have to say the answer is a definite yes.

 

[elleseajay]

That picture is amazing. Thank you so much for the update. I find it rather hard to find people who have alpine newts and see their tanks etc, since I noticed they aren't as common as other types.

My filter is just below the surface and a perfect spot to lay in shallow water, same as my floating bark/cork, they love laying in there. Now I'm thinking of getting something like a betta-leaf to provide more shallow basking spots. Also looking into how I can create more natural spots for them to lay below the surface.

 

[minorhero]

That picture is amazing. Thank you so much for the update. I find it rather hard to find people who have alpine newts and see their tanks etc, since I noticed they aren't as common as other types.

My filter is just below the surface and a perfect spot to lay in shallow water, same as my floating bark/cork, they love laying in there. Now I'm thinking of getting something like a betta-leaf to provide more shallow basking spots. Also looking into how I can create more natural spots for them to lay below the surface.

Tall stem plants work great for them. Easy growing ones like hygrophila angustifolia, or Amazon swords can grow tall enough to reach the surface and provide plenty of places to rest at all water column levels. You will need fertilizer and regular water changes but I have proven that is not an issue.

 

[elleseajay]

Sounds perfect yes, thank you!

 

[TheSnake88]

This is a really inspiring thread! I am looking to do something similar with my Triturus pygmaeus.

 

[minorhero]

This is a really inspiring thread! I am looking to do something similar with my Triturus pygmaeus.

I've been keeping pygmys for about a year now. Great newts, absolutely love them. I have been keeping them in a tank without injected co2 but recently moved them to a new tank directly next to my alpine newt tank. Because they are so close I will be able to take advantage of the same co2 cylinder. Really looking forward to seeing them in the kinds of aquascapes co2 brings to the party.