can't find an answer to my cycling questions

[kansasnewt]

Hello!

I am new to the forum.

I bought two crested newts a week ago from a local pet store. At the time I bought them, I did not have a cycled tank and did not understand what cycling a tank was. After reading through the cycling and water quality pages on caudata.org, I still have a couple questions.

1. Since the tank they are in right now is not cycled, should i put them in a separate container with 100% water changes everyday while the main tank cycles? OR cycle the main tank with the newts in it using regular partial water changes?

2. If I cycle with the newts in, how do I make sure they don't die during the process?

3. Can the beneficial cycling bacteria grow without a filter or substrate? the main tank i have is bare bottom with plastic plants in it.

I have a testing kit, testing daily, results have been:
Ammonia .5-1 nitrite .5-1 nitrate 5 ph 6.8

Thanks in advance! really trying to learn and want to make sure I don't kill the animals in the process.

 

[JaceW/Lifer-Log]

Here’s what I know...

1. I would keep them in a separate tub while the tank cycles. On the water changes I’m not sure. I’m not really experienced with aquatic amphibians. My guess would be 80% daily.

2. I know that for fish it is preferred to cycle without fish, since ammonia and nitrite spikes are much more dangerous than nitrates. I assume this to be the same with newts.

3. that will be fine the bacteria will grow on the plants. More surface area the better though! The bacteria cannot grow in the water, only on surfaces submerged in the water. Without a filter to have lots of surface area for bacteria Expect to have to do more water changes. Large gravel pellets Would allow much more surface area for bacteria as would a piece of wood. The newt would probably like it to!

thats all I got. Good luck.

p.s. Cycling usually takes around a month just test ammonia and nitrites weekly, when both at 0ppm you are cycled.

 

[kansasnewt]

JaceW,

Thank you for the helpful advice! I will keep them in a separate tank of clean water while the main tank cycles and will be adding a few more decorations to give the bacteria more places to grow. I may add some large gravel as well. I originally planned on having no substrate so that it would be easier to clean but i think having good water quality is more important.. and it will look nice too!

Thanks!

 

[JaceW/Lifer-Log]

Of course, being able to help people is my favorite part of this website. And large gravel from experience is rather easy to clean.

 

[Binditheaxolotl]

JaceW,

Thank you for the helpful advice! I will keep them in a separate tank of clean water while the main tank cycles and will be adding a few more decorations to give the bacteria more places to grow. I may add some large gravel as well. I originally planned on having no substrate so that it would be easier to clean but i think having good water quality is more important.. and it will look nice too!

Thanks!

I don’t know much about newts, only axolotls. But I know for axolotls you can never have gravel substrate because they will eat it and choke on it? Is this the same for newts? Either way I don’t know if I would do it? But that’s me as an axolotl owner

 

[JaceW/Lifer-Log]

I assume this is the case as well I meant large river rocks much to large for even an axolotl to swallow. Thank you, for reminding me to clarify.

 

[Binditheaxolotl]

I assume this is the case as well I meant large river rocks much to large for even an axolotl to swallow. Thank you, for reminding me to clarify.

Haha sure! Like I said, I only assumed since from what I know, newts are like axolotls and will try to eat anything they can get in their mouth :happy: