Filter Needed?

[Mark.H]

Hi, I am building a semi-aquatic terrarium for my long-toed salamanders and I am not sure if I need a filter. Could I just siphon out the few inches in the bottom every couple of days and refill it? I am putting a bubbler in it so that may help. thanks

 

[JaceW/Lifer-Log]

Perfect! All you need is something to keep the water moving, which you have, and then syphoning half the water out every week. If you only have a 3-6 inch deep water section. If you have a rather large water feature you could consider an actual aquarium in size, than a small turtle filter hidden inside a cork tube would be better with less syphoning per week around 30%.

Beware, shallow with hardscrape to allow them to climb out of the water is better. Many Ambystoma aren’t great swimmers and can easily drown in adult stages.

 

[Mark.H]

Hi, I am using a 30 gal tank with styrofoam to cover about 3/4 of the bottom. I am going to try to model this setup

so I think they will be able to crawl out. Thanks for the help!

 

[JaceW/Lifer-Log]

Hi, I am using a 30 gal tank with styrofoam to cover about 3/4 of the bottom. I am going to try to model this setup

so I think they will be able to crawl out. Thanks for the help!

They definitely will! A bubbler will do the trick for that water level. Sounds like it will look amazing. Good luck on your project!

 

[Mark.H]

Ok, Thanks!

 

[Mark.H]

We finished the tank a few months ago, here it is.

 

[Mark.H]

A few pics of one of the guys, sorry the pictures are not that good. I believe "he" is a southern long-toed, but I could be mistaken.

 

[Mark.H]

Here is another one, Northern I think.