Hi everyone!

[Thelmab9]

Hi!
Just stumbled across this site and i think it's great! Soooo much info and everyone is so helpful!

So.... I'm 28, a mum of two and about to start setting up a tank for hopefully 2 axolotls (knowing me i'll probably end up with a whole brood, but i'll start with 2 )
I've loved axolotls since my science teacher kept one in the room in high school. Had one for a little while when i first moved out of home (mum wouldn't allow one in the house) but unfortunatly he/she didn't last long. Not sure why but i sure know i'm going to put a whole lot more effort in this time, particularly now i know so much more!

I'm picking up a tank from a friend tomorrow, planning on a sand base with a few river stones around a plant and maybe a couple of pots or bigger rocks for hidy holes.
I've got a big pirate ship from a previous fish tank but haven't decided whether or not to use that yet. I've got my filter and air pump with hose and an air stone, gathering sand rocks and pot on friday from bunnings + plant from aquarium then hopefully spend the weekend (while kiddies are away on a boys weekend) setting up my lovely little oasis!
I'm thinking i'll let the tank sit with the filter running for a couple of weeks, that's what i've read anyway, also to let the plant establish itself a little. I'm just wondering, should i put some water from the goldfish tank in? Would that help with the bacteria (?) ?

Anyway, longest intro i've ever written i think! I look forward to getting to know some of you lovely sounding axie lovers

 

[Kaysie]

Glad you found us, Thelma!

The beneficial bacteria used to cycle your tank doesn't actually live in the water, but instead lives on the surfaces of the tank: the filter, the substrate, plants, decoration, the walls themselves. So if you want to seed your new tank, use some of those items from your established tank. Although if you've let anything dry between the old tank and the new, chances are the bacteria are no longer viable, and you'll have to grow your bacteria the old fashioned way: by waiting.

 

[Thelmab9]

Oh that's great thanks, i'm hoping to also get a plant for the goldfish tank so i guess ill take the fake ones out and float them around in the axie tank for a while. Will the plants just grow in the sand or do they go in little pots or something? I'm imagining that sand wouldn't give that much support to the roots?

 

[mewsie]

Hey Thelma! Welcome

Are you asking about plants for a tank with goldfish in, or axies?

Sand is ok for the roots, you can buy plant specific substrate if you have a lot of light and plants that need lots of nutrients, but if you are asking for your axies tank, it's worth checking out this Axie Aquascaping thread, I found it REALLY helpful.

Axies don't like bright light too much as they don't have eyelids, so picking the right types of plants really helps!

Re: roots, I have a few cm of sand in my tank, and have lilaeopsis planted. For the most part, it stays rooted really well, but axies do tend to speed around the tank when the mood strikes them, and they have been known to pull clumps up occasionally. Doesn't really bother me to pop it back in though. As well as that I have lots of anubias and moss growing, attached to rocks and the likes.

My axies absolutely love the plants, they spend a lot of time chilling out in them, like hammocks

There are some really well experienced plant keepers on here, too!