Lots of questions about raising newt eggs :)

Audrey22

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I have eastern newt eggs that are about to hatch and some mystery sallies/newt larve that hatched today.
I have done extensive research. I have the new borns and eggs in big plastic containers. But I have a tank set up (still altering it to accommodate larve before I place them). Some research says if I have a tank I don't need to have a filter or do lots of water changes. Some say I should keep them in the containers. I have sourced literally everything except the food from the pond and stream I got them from. Even the water. I have snails and plants and waterboatman, all from the pond. I have the filter running. I would love to hear other people's experiences and advice.
Here are my questions:
Is there too much water?
When should I put them in the tank?
how do I keep the water healthy When I have sourced the water from the pond?
Can I house both species in the aquarium (when they are big enough not to eat)?
Need more plants?
Should I keep the filter? If I do or don't, how often do I need to do water changes?
Any other info would be great :) I'm super excited
Here are pictures:

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20210324_085921.jpg

20210323_121922.jpg
 
You would probably be better off with some different aquatic invertebrates than waterboatmen. Those do to aquatic plants what spiders do to insects and I don't see much benefit for young salamander larvae. Try getting some Daphnia, or better yet, Moina macrocopa. Both are good prey items for young salamander larvae but Moina are higher protein/lower in fat and have the added advantage of staying much smaller and are, in my experience, much easier to culture indoors. If you are going to use that power filter the intake needs to be covered with some foam or mesh or something to prevent the babies from being sucked in and blended to a pulp by the impeller. A sponge filter is a good alternative. You can't go wrong with more plants, they really do the work in keeping water in good quality but there ideally should be something, like a sponge filter or air stone to move the water over the plants so they can do their job. Some people mix species but I wouldn't recommend it especially with Notophthalmus which are especially toxic to most other animals. If you have the tank densely planted water changes can be pretty minimal, maybe 10% a week? It really depends on the volume of water, mass of animals and plants. Most of my newts I just raise in plain tubs with a sponge filter and plants and they don't get water changes for about the first month but the tubs are basically filled with fast growing plants.

Also, those look like tadpoles, maybe wood frog tadpoles?
 
You would probably be better off with some different aquatic invertebrates than waterboatmen. Those do to aquatic plants what spiders do to insects and I don't see much benefit for young salamander larvae. Try getting some Daphnia, or better yet, Moina macrocopa. Both are good prey items for young salamander larvae but Moina are higher protein/lower in fat and have the added advantage of staying much smaller and are, in my experience, much easier to culture indoors. If you are going to use that power filter the intake needs to be covered with some foam or mesh or something to prevent the babies from being sucked in and blended to a pulp by the impeller. A sponge filter is a good alternative. You can't go wrong with more plants, they really do the work in keeping water in good quality but there ideally should be something, like a sponge filter or air stone to move the water over the plants so they can do their job. Some people mix species but I wouldn't recommend it especially with Notophthalmus which are especially toxic to most other animals. If you have the tank densely planted water changes can be pretty minimal, maybe 10% a week? It really depends on the volume of water, mass of animals and plants. Most of my newts I just raise in plain tubs with a sponge filter and plants and they don't get water changes for about the first month but the tubs are basically filled with fast growing plants.

Also, those look like tadpoles, maybe wood frog tadpoles?
I I don't believe they are tadpoles. They are too slender. Here's a close up. Also they are eating freeze dried brine shrimp.

I'm about to order those Daphnia though like you suggested. :)

Just saw a video. They are wood frogs by all appearances. They didn't look like it to me because I have never seen brand new hatchlings! Note to self: stop feeding them brine shrimp.... and find out why they like brine shrimp.
 

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Your last photo is clear enough to let us see the paired adhesive organ under the head.
So : frog tadpoles
 
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