Emergent or Bank?

[jeremy]

hi i am planning a future tank for some eastern newts and was wondering what type of tank was better emergent driftwood or rocks or an island/bank made of plexiglass. either one is fine for me i just want the most natural for the newts. thanks in advance

jeremy

 

[mark]

A piece of driftwood would most likely be the most natural for Notophthalmus. Driftwood may leach tanins into the water, creating a blackwater appearance which some do not like (on the other hand, I quite like this look). Personally I think driftwood would be the most aesthetic and natural option. Good luck with the set up. Be sure to post some pics when you have got it finished so we can all see!

 

[jeremy]

thanks mark

jeremy

 

[mike]

Sorry to hijack you post Jeremy, but I've been wondering the same thing with C. Orientalis. What kind of dry-land would they prefer?

 

[paris]

best stick to emergent pieces for them too-they have a habit of going out onto land and then avoiding the water like it was pure acid (throw them in and they act like you are drowning them)-they get really reclusive and often go off eating when given land for some reason-if you want to give them land make sure the water level is so high (to the land) that their skin will not dry out and become hydrophobic-as long as they are kept wet it is easier for them to enter water and they seem less reluctant to do it.

 

[mike]

Ah, so I'm guessing driftwood only as well. Thanks

 

[jesper]

I'm keeping my orientalis terrestrial, they get to choose and all but the most ill ones chose terrestrial 10 times out of 10. When they are very ill they go into the water....strange really.
Then again most of my adults are pet shop animals - they were ill when I got them that is.

I keep mine on soil with corkbark covering the soil.