EverAquarium
New member
After being in the saltwater hobby for about two years, I got into freshwater about a year ago with some guppy and shrimp builds to help fund the Saltwater side of things.
Over the last year I relocated and of course setup new aquariums but I have enjoyed the ease of maintenance of the freshwater systems. They are much easier to setup and take care of which has given me the opportunity to try some new things.
About two months ago I went to a LFS and saw their Axolotls of all sizes and the recent eggs they had pulled. I spent nearly an hour just watching them and seeing their personality, unique look, and characteristics that make them so interesting. I wanted to take one home that day, but knew I couldn't just buy one and figure out how to care for it later so I have spent the last two months researching and learning all of the ins and outs of the Axolotl. As of today I felt confident in getting a cycle going.
I bought a 20 Gallon Long, my local Petco is still doing Dollar per Gallon, and some basic reptile items. I, like I'm assuming most of us do, have filters stored away so I was able to pull out an AquaClear 20 (also using a QuietFlow 10 to help circulate and clean the water for the next couple of days). I found a model and was able to 3D print a baffle for the filter to help with surface agitation so the heat exchange is better while keeping the flow to a minimum to not disturb the Axolotl. The last thing I wanted to figure out was a way to show off the Axolotl I end up getting. I wanted to get some kind of dark or black substrate but all the research did not give me anything I felt completely safe with so I decided to paint the bottom of the tank black when I painted the back of the tank. I have future plants to add some other decorations and put some mosses and other hardy plants on them so this will also help absorb the light so there isn't reflection coming off of the glass bottom.
I have cut some of my Pothos plants and plan on adding those to the filter later on to help with water quality but I am looking forward to learning from others and getting recommendations on what I could add to this tank to make it ideal for the Axolotl that ends up calling it home.
Also looking for recommendations on the best places to get an Axolotl. There is only one store around Atlanta, GA I have found that sells them and it looks like none of the vendors at Repticon will be carrying them.
Over the last year I relocated and of course setup new aquariums but I have enjoyed the ease of maintenance of the freshwater systems. They are much easier to setup and take care of which has given me the opportunity to try some new things.
About two months ago I went to a LFS and saw their Axolotls of all sizes and the recent eggs they had pulled. I spent nearly an hour just watching them and seeing their personality, unique look, and characteristics that make them so interesting. I wanted to take one home that day, but knew I couldn't just buy one and figure out how to care for it later so I have spent the last two months researching and learning all of the ins and outs of the Axolotl. As of today I felt confident in getting a cycle going.
I bought a 20 Gallon Long, my local Petco is still doing Dollar per Gallon, and some basic reptile items. I, like I'm assuming most of us do, have filters stored away so I was able to pull out an AquaClear 20 (also using a QuietFlow 10 to help circulate and clean the water for the next couple of days). I found a model and was able to 3D print a baffle for the filter to help with surface agitation so the heat exchange is better while keeping the flow to a minimum to not disturb the Axolotl. The last thing I wanted to figure out was a way to show off the Axolotl I end up getting. I wanted to get some kind of dark or black substrate but all the research did not give me anything I felt completely safe with so I decided to paint the bottom of the tank black when I painted the back of the tank. I have future plants to add some other decorations and put some mosses and other hardy plants on them so this will also help absorb the light so there isn't reflection coming off of the glass bottom.
I have cut some of my Pothos plants and plan on adding those to the filter later on to help with water quality but I am looking forward to learning from others and getting recommendations on what I could add to this tank to make it ideal for the Axolotl that ends up calling it home.
Also looking for recommendations on the best places to get an Axolotl. There is only one store around Atlanta, GA I have found that sells them and it looks like none of the vendors at Repticon will be carrying them.