Filters, substrates, setups: please read before posting

[Jennewt]

Here are some links to basic info to get you started before you post.

Basics of housing axolotls:
Axolotls - Housing in Captivity

Photos of fully-aquatic setups (not all of these are suitable for axolotls):
Caudata Culture Articles - Setups, Aquatic

Filters
The most common types of filters used for axolotls are the hang-on-back waterfall filter, the canister filter, and sponge filters.
Basics of various types of filters:
Caudata Culture Articles - Filters

Basics of substrates for aquatic setups (not all of these are suitable for axolotls):
Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Substrates

Vivarium building projects, including examples of glued-down substrates:
Caudata Culture Articles - Vivarium Building Projects

What rocks are safe?
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...-substrate/71428-what-rocks-axolotl-safe.html

Information about algae, snails, worms, and other "critters" that show up in aquariums:
Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Invaders: Algae, Snails, Worms and Other Critters

Avoid using gravel, small stones, or marbles
Gravel, small stones and marbles pose a serious risk to axolotls, due to ingestion. Here are just a FEW of the many horror stories we have had on this forum to demonstrate this:

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...um/70200-my-gold-axolotl-has-eaten-stone.html
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...4-how-can-you-sure-if-stone-impacted-not.html
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...ble-swimming-no-appetite-odd-shaped-head.html
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...-please-yet-another-stone-related-thread.html
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...ssion-free-all/79208-she-pooped-rocks-dx.html
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...otl/82033-axolotl-swallowed-large-marble.html
Includes X-rays:
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...sick-axolotl/70292-axolotl-bloated-belly.html
Includes X-rays:
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be.../f58-sick-axolotl/68478-large-rock-belly.html

 

[Ax0lotl]

Is turtle or reptile sand okay? I searched for several hours in stores for sand with a silica base but couldn't find any I was sure about. Thank you.

 

[herpboy4]

Thanks!

 

[evolveatrandom]

I find that Play Sand (sand you find in sandboxes) is very good. Don't need to wash them because they're already sterile, comes in an attractive light brown colour, and can be bought in bulk and cheaply in places like Rona.

 

[Mgrimson]

Would there be any issue with using a large flat piece of filter foam (new) instead of substrate?

 

[Aschneider8]

Hello, I am new to Axolotls and set my tank up with a substrate that was advertised as sand, however I think it looks a bit coarse and wanted an opinion.
I also heavily planted the tank with live plants that they seem to love sitting in. Is there any negative aspects of doing this?
Thanks

 

[Mama Mia]

Hi,
I too searched for silica based sand, I found some at Home Depot, it's the sand that they put in those smoke or cigarette things that sit outside, places, i.e. stores, offices buildings, and malls.
I have no clue if it is safe for axolotls or not.
But I did find it. The price wasn't bad.

 

[emmyk]

Is quikrete play sand ok?

 

[AshSeek]

CaribSea Aragonite Aquarium Sand at PETCO

Is this sand okay to use??????? anybody know where to get sand for an axolotl online?

 

[PatchworkClocks]

CaribSea Aragonite Aquarium Sand at PETCO

Is this sand okay to use??????? anybody know where to get sand for an axolotl online?

I dunno, I've heard a few horror stories about that kind of sand. Best to go with play sand (the stuff used in sandboxes), or pool filter sand.

 

[Possum63]

Aragonite causes a high pH. And depending on the size of your lotl, it could be a little coarse. Aragonite is commonly used in cichlid set ups who like a pH of above 8. I've also heard it clouds for a while and can be problematic espesh with spazzy lotls. So, if your lotl is adult sized or close to and your prepared to closely monitor pH and probably lower it frequently you could try it.

I would recommend play sand though as it is cheap or I highly recommend fine sillica sand which I personally use. The white stuff is relatively cheap (Here in NZ we can actually get it just as cheap as play sand if not cheaper). Its super soft to the touch I have no problem with clouding and it settles real quick when my lotls go nuts.

 

[nadinemccarthy]

Shop QUIKRETE 50-lbs All-Purpose Sand at Lowes.com

Is this sand ok? If not, I've got to get it out and get new in my tank.

 

[auntiejude]

Shop QUIKRETE 50-lbs All-Purpose Sand at Lowes.com

Is this sand ok? If not, I've got to get it out and get new in my tank.

No. Thats building sand, you need play sand.

 

[nadinemccarthy]

Thanks. I guess I'll be taking out the sand and putting in play sand. And start testing the water again.

 

[Nancy Haggerty]

I've been considering getting some axolotyls. I currently have a bare bottom planted tank.I painted the bottom outside of the tank to create the look of old sand colored brick. I also have planted driftwood. The idea was to make the tank look like underwater ruins and be easy to clean waste from the tank. Do axolotyls require a substrate or will my bare bottom planted tank work for them too?

 

[sde]

Bare bottom is fine, but if the paint is on the inside of the tank and is not sealed correctly of at all it might harm or kill your axolotl. And if you put a axolotl in that tank with guppies the guppies will get eaten.

 

[Nancy Haggerty]

The paint is on the outside of the tank. The fish in the picture are HM female bettas ( not guppies)and already know that I can not keep them together.

 

[sde]

The paint is on the outside of the tank. The fish in the picture are HM female bettas ( not guppies)and already know that I can not keep them together.

OK. Sorry, I am not too good with fish

 

[Nancy Haggerty]

Most people are not familiar with female bettas, I like them cause you can have more than one in a tank and are just as colorful. You would probably recognize this more as a betta it is a male and has to be kept seperate or they fight.:happy: I just wanted to make sure that I am setting up a tank properly for axoltyls and this is the only tank that I have done at the moment.

 

[Nancy Haggerty]

My next question is the size the tank that I am considering using is an odd size 63 cm long or 24.5 inches - 50 cm wide or 20 inches - 26 cm high or 10.5 inches. It is actually a modified 20 gal high tank and was wondering how many axolotyls I could have in this tank? I would be using a canister filter with a spray bar and a homemade bubble wand for filtration and aeration. This has worked well for me with the bettas who also like a low water current.