Question: Keeping Axolotl in a pond

[Icarez]

A recent thread reminded me I still wanted some information on keeping Axolotl in a pond
I know people have done this, so any information is welcome

Few things I'm not sure about:

- When it freezes in winter, will keeping an air hole open on the surface be enough for them to make it trough the winter?
- How deep can you make it? I was thinking arround 20cm deep on one end, so you can look on the bottom, and then to the other end a slope that runs deeper to about 1.20m (so they can go there when it freezes in the winter

Are there any specific tips from you guys on do's and dont's?

I'm thinking about 20.000 L and a big pond filter with a UV light
I live in the Netherlands so the outside temp will actually be quite nice for them I'm just not sure about it when it freezes outside though

If this is impossible please tell me, but it is my current dream since I believe this might be the prime artificial living arrangement for Axolotl?

 

[yellowpebble]

i know a few people who want some of my babies who want to keep them in ponds so i would benifit from this info too

 

[Aaran]

Needs to be atleast 6ft deep for one part, when it does freeze over i have read somewhere that the water temps, even here in the Uk an axolotl can survive in, but dont expect them to eat too much, technically its like fridging it. think its about 6 degrees c, is the water temps with ice over the top.

When it does freeze over you could make a hole, and suck some of the water out to give an airgap, and it wont refreeze again as there isnt any water to freeze because of the gap should look kinda like this

________ _____
ice airhole
-------------- -------
airgap
-----------------------------
water level
_________________

You could also use things to agitate the water to stop it freezing, or you could always install a few heaters?