Question: Hood?

[RobertsKitty]

I currently have a wire mesh hood on my tank. I also have an over the side hang on filter. I have cut a hole in it that the long plastic pole part hangs through. It makes it very awkward to vacuum and such. Is there any way to help make it less difficult with the over the side filter?

 

[mitchell101]

I don't even use a lid because the axolotls don't have enough strength in their legs to crawl up the wires. Only use a lid if the water level is right up to the top of the tank close enough for the axolotl to just jump out without using anything. Otherwise they should be fine. I don't have any ideas about lids so i can't really help you.
Mitch.

 

[RobertsKitty]

How full is safe?

 

[Darkmaverick]

Hi Robertskitty,

I actually think that your mesh and tank hood are a safety measure against axies jumping out and also aerosol or particulate pollutants entering your tank and fouling the water. Personally i would not remove them.

I guess there would always be a certain degree of inconvenience in siphoning wastes. I can only think of some ways that can help make it less bothersome.

1 - Feed less messy food types like live earthworms or blackworms over frozen bloodworms or pellets.

2 - Try hand-feeding with long feeding forceps so you can make sure your axie eats the food and not left it to rot in the water.

3 - Don't overfeed.

4 - You may like to change your tank to bare bottomed if you are currently using sand.

5 - Use simple easy access hiding places like pipes and pots over ornate aquarium decorations or rocks that may cause food and wastes to accumulate between the spaces.

6 - Use an aquarium siphon over a turkey baster. I find that siphons are easier to use and more effective. However, it really depends on what you are more comfortable using.

Sorry its not much of a direct help.

Cheers

 

[mitchell101]

Do what you feel like if you keep the lid on or not. If it is too annoying take it off but otherwise it is a good idea to leave it on just to be safe. If you are going to take it off, for a fully grown axolotl probably between 5-10cm of water away from the top should be fine. You could go less if you want though, I have it about 3/4 way up tank on my tank which is about 60cm high.
So it's up to you what you do.
Mitch.