Some very good points have been raised here, and some very hot topics!
LingKong - You are most welcome! I am glad this cheered you up
Pondweed - I hear you, and I can see why it may have looked a little forceful. It is hard when your setup works for you and someone says it's risky. In those situations, I always think what is best for me and mine. It's so easy to get scared when you're told something may hurt your animals - I am no different - but I am prepared to take the risk for now because my axolotls are used to sand, and I have never seen them swallow it. Granted, I don't watch them 24/7 but they seem happy, healthy and growing. I may be taking a small risk, but the fact is, you take a risk simply owning axolotls. They can get sick from using the wrong water, feeding the wrong food. One axolotl owner got it in one: 'there are as many opinions on axolotls as there are owners. Put 1,000 of them in a room and you can guarantee they'll all have different opinions.' Like all animals and pets, there's room for debate. I totally agree that no-one would be small minded enough to judge someone on their culture (I hope!), but it is difficult to say exactly what being of a certain culture means unless you belong to it. Look at the Cornish. I couldn't tell you exactly what being Cornish means, it's just something you are - not superior or exclusive, it's just part of you. It's a bit like that. Basically, I agree with all your points, and see where you're coming from. I just wanted LingKong to know that her opinion is respected, but that people may still disagree, even if her information is sound, and that it's not a reflection on her - it's simply differences of opinion. That was my angle - the same as yours in some ways, I guess
Ah! The sand debate continues! I am worried about my axolotls swallowing sand and becoming impacted, of course I am, but I don't see them eating it or swallowing it, and they are hand fed (I know this doesn't eliminate the possibility of ingestion, but it helps!) I am also worried about losing all my nitrifying bacteria, and the stress of essentially going ground zero for my axolotls (if you were going to silicone slate, that is. Doesn't really apply simply to bare bottom).
Okay, so just a question - have any bare bottomers previously used sand? Did your axolotl freak out at all after removing all your sand? I am considering it after thinking about it for some time, but don't want any repercussions on my axxies so I would like some anecdotes from previous converts before I make up my mind.
