Hello

[Oscarsmom]

I'm fairly new to all of this... I got a 75gal tank with an Oscar and Green Severum about 3 months ago. Now I've been bit by the bug! I'm currently working on a 20 gal set up with African Dwarf frogs and am thinking about a 29gal set up with Fire Belly Newts! I've done a lot of reading on this site and think I can handle it. My main issues are trying to make sure that I can set this tank up to fit their needs. I want it to look pretty and have the appropriate amount of land and water.

My thoughts:

Want a 29gal so there is plenty of water and more easy to maintain the water quality.
I just found this:
http://www.petdiscounters.com/Turtl...1459.html?PETDISCO=vfmthibr7ed086v0ofoji6if17

and think that if I have two of them on either side of the tank that I can have plenty of water and two spots for "land".
Might even add one of these on the front of the tank making three spots.

http://www.petdiscounters.com/R-Zil...6990.html?PETDISCO=upqho7fmnujcmet8e7766ek2v6

I also want to have a few things at the bottom of the tank for hiding. I have a tree stump orniment that has two holes and is pretty large, so a few could hide in. Also, want some drift wood and real plants.

Does this sound like a decent set-up? Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Melissa

 

[Kaysie]

A 29 gallon will be adequate. Healthy adult firebellies rarely use land, and I think you can get by with just one or two land areas (if they use them at all). Any ornaments should be adequate so no one gets stuck inside.

Just keep in mind that caudates like to stay cool, so be prepared to be able to keep them in the mid 70's or lower.

Great first questions! I absolutely commend you on researching a pet before buying it. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Oscarsmom]

Thanks Kaysie.

The kit I'm planning on comes with a heater (if and when needed) and I always keep my house temp pretty cool. Any other ideas for keeping it at the right temp?

I'm glad that the land area's I'm considering would be acceptable. The tree ornament's holes are at least 3 or more inches wide and tall so I they can't get caught in it. I originally bought it for one of my other tanks, but thought it would be perfect in a newt tank.

The only other thing holding me back is the cost of it all. I want to do it right, so I'm making sure I can afford it and not have unexpected costs after starting it.

This MTS is expensive!

 

[Kaysie]

Nix the heater. You won't need it. These guys can thrive well down into the 50's (and maybe into the 40's).

As far as cost, I think most of us have 'functional' decorations rather than nice looking ones. PVC pipes, clay pots, etc. This will help keep cost down.

Another imperative piece of equipment is a tight-fitting lid. These guys are Houdini-esque in their escape abilities.

 

[angelkitty]

Hello. I have the turtle floating dock with my fire belly toads and they love it. For my paddle tail newt I have a floating log for turtles and he loves it-he will sit in the inside of it and wait for fish to swim it and then have a snack. He has never come out of the water totally.
Angel :angel:

 

[Kaysie]

Those floating logs are very cool! I got one for my turtles as well, although they're REALLY too small for it. I used it for my roughskinned newts for some time, and they utilized it significantly.

 

[Oscarsmom]

I was wondering about the floating log that I saw... I think I'll have to have that too!

So, am I gathering that I should try to have more water than land area? I think I'd like to have about 8-9 inches of water in the tank.

I am getting it all planned out, but want to wait for that check to come (from the gov) before I make any purchases. I'm really excited about it though.

Thanks for all your help.
Melissa