My tank set up idea

F

forrest

Guest
I use to belong to this community way way back but after my axolotl of 2 years died i gave up. Was still a novice back then.

I am wondering would it be possible for me to have a 29 gallon tank, purchase guppys (assorted fancys) let them breed till the tank is literaly over flowed then introduce One Axolotl into the tank.

Any one able to achieve this ecosystem where you feed the guppys and the guppys feed the axolotl? My tanks were allways to small to let this happen.
 
I have a tank with Guppy (3 adult femal - 1 male) and two Axies - The Axies are eating the very little baby guppys but one's there getting a little bit to big (2-3 weeks old) the Axies don't take them anymore. So it's meaning that of every guppy nest they are always two- three that are surviving !
sick.gif
 
my original axolotl nick named "The Monster" ate any fish regardless of size. I watched him devour a sick oscar of decent size, a Betta and well absolutely ANY THING in the tank the size of his head. he was a good 12 inches.

I guess i will start my tank as a guppy tank and let htem populate and introduce 1 axolotl and see if i can maintain it, if not o well i tryed.
 
One possible problem with this is wintertime temperature. The best thing for the axolotl is to be as cold as possible (mine are 45F in winter and love it). Guppies don't thrive (and won't reproduce well) at the optimum temperature for the axolotl.

I would really suggest keeping the guppies in a separate (heated) 10-gallon tank, and just transfer the extra guppies to the (colder) axolotl tank.
 
my House is kept at about 70-72 regardless of whats going on outside.

Next question (following is link of a tank im gonna buy)
http://www.myfishtank.com/default.asp?a=upss&tankdesc=33
29 Gallon 30 x 12 x 18 $186.92
Sea Clear Kits include fluorescent fixtures, power filter, plastic plants, net, fish food, water conditioner and how-to book.

If i use a "power filter" and i wanted to set up a underground filter too, but if i use sandy type gravel wont the sand go under the underground filter? last i remembered they had slots and if any thing was to small i could see it easly just filling it up.
 
Forest, getting those kits are kind of a waste. A 29 gallon tank is probably not the most appropriate size. It is tall, but axolotls like floor space. A 20 gallon tank has the same floor space as a 29 gallon.

You probably won't use the fluorescent fixtures (unless you get live plants, and then you'll still have to get specialized plant bulbs).

The power filter will stress out your axolotl, and undergravel filters are more of a pain than they are helpful. To use one effectively, you need a powerhead, but this will stress out your axolotl. Without a power filter, poo will just collect under the plates and will foul your water.

Plastic plants are okay, but they don't always LOOK that great. I go with silk. I buy them pretty cheap from the craft shop.

Nets are VERY cheap. You should be able to find/make one for under $5

Fish food you won't need at all.

Water conditioner is cheap also. I use StressCoat as my dechlorinator. Look for one that binds to Chlorine, Chloramines, and heavy metals, but not one that 'detoxifies' ammonia.

How-to books: you've got one right here with us!!
 
the thing is the 29 gallon tank would be or should be enuff room for guppys to survive, a 20 galon tank is to easy for a axoltol to chow down a entire supply. From my last experience axoltol is very very good at eating fish in a small tank, maybe the one i had was super smart cuz it didnt take him long.

I can not have 2 tanks.

The tank will have javamoss + another species of plants thats really great for guppys.

I can order that same tank with out every thing and its just bare tank.

But what filtration system would you recommend for a 29 gallon tank. I want to be able to support the axolotl + its live stock.

I will do more research all around on every thing you said and hopefully come to some conclusions also.

In general i am doing my best to make a ecosystem that i enjoy watching as it progresses.
 
A small canister filter or a large waterfall type filter will be adequate for a tank that size. Just keep in mind that axolotls don't really use the water column. They stay toward the bottom of the tank. If you want a bigger tank, then go bigger the long way, not the tall way. A 30 gallon tank (36 inches) is basically the same price as a 29 gallon tank (24 inches).
 
Ok that sounds rather good, i also seem to have problem finding "stands" i dont really get the measurments quite that well. I gotta sleep now but later tonight ill check on some online places where i can find stands for a 30 gallon. will post what i find here and you can see if they are good or not.
 
Ok 30 gallon tank
http://www.myfishtank.com/default.asp?a=tanks&tankdesc=1
36 x 12 x 16 $168.31
Comes only with the fluorescent light fixture ( bulb not included ) and the black ABS light hood.
So i will only be paying for the tank and the light hood.

The Stand for the tank im looking at this.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9883&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Portal-_-PriceGrabber-_-Fish-_-Double%20Tank%20Stand%20(30%20gallon)&ref=3475&subref=AA&GCID=C12188x004&ctt=61
30 Gallon 36" 38-1/2"L x 28-1/2"H x 13"W $64.99
Not sure if it fits or not.

For plants from research Watersprite, Java moss and java fern, seem to be what i want.

For a Filter im looking at this
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12320&N=2004+22769
marineland Penguin BIO-Wheel Power Filters
Looks like its a pretty slow flowing wheel that i read on another site is adjustable so there wont be a harsh current going on.
 
turns out you have to use a stand which 100% supports the bottom of a Acrylic tank. So a metal stand is no good unless its solid.

Thank god im doing research before buying any thing haha id feel like a dope if i had my tanks bottom bow out from under it.
 
That's WAY too much to pay for a tank. A 30 gallon tank shouldn't cost you much more than $40. Keep looking. A fluorescent fixture can usually be found MUCH cheaper in the garden section, rather than the pet section.

Penguin filters are not adjustable, but baffles can be built for them. I've found that it's best to use an airstone on one side of the tank and the filter on the other.

I've never blown out the bottom of a tank (from weight, anyway). I like glass tanks better than acrylic. Acrylic tends to scratch more easily when you're scrubbing it.

Unless you're really serious about aesthetics, you can buy utility or garage racks. I keep my tanks on a Gorilla Rack, which looks nicer than most.
 
You cant really find acrylic tanks for less. I really want to avoid glass all together my last 40 gallon tank leaked on me and i refuse to get another one. Not only that they are heavy as hell.

Why would i really be scrubbing it? Only time i messed with the inside of my tank before was to use a razor to scrape off algea so the fish could eat it.

I believe in getting deals but i also believe in getting what you pay for and 40 dollar tank is exactly along the lines of i get what i pay for.

Heres something from a website

The Acrylic Advantage
Aquariums made with acrylic are much lighter and stronger than glass. New construction techniques allow for seams that are virtually leak-proof. Special chemicals are used to weld the acrylic together to provide crystal clear, very strong seams which are stronger than the material itself.

In the old days, acrylic did have its drawbacks - it tended to scratch easily and over time sunlight caused the material to yellow. Acrylic has been improved over the years and the earlier drawbacks have been all but eliminated. Scratches can be removed or lightened from acrylic whereas a scratch on a glass aquarium can never be removed. Modern acrylic is made with a process called UV stabilization and is now much harder to scratch. Clear material stays clear, and black stays black. Sunlight or medications such as malachite green have no effect on the acrylic or the seams.

Acrylic is 17 times stronger than glass and will flex instead of shatter - practically childproof - giving your fish a better chance to survive an earthquake (or a rampant three-year old with a baseball bat!). A blow that will break a glass aquarium may only scratch an acrylic one. Because the seams are stronger and the aquarium is more flexible, you can count on having an acrylic aquarium longer.

It takes less energy to maintain stable water temperature in an acrylic aquarium due to it's superior insulation factor. Fish in a glass aquarium will get chilly when a heater goes out, while the fish in an acrylic aquarium will remain warm and toasty for a much longer period. Less than half the weight of a glass aquarium, an acrylic aquarium is easier to transport and setup. Additionally, the safety and sleek design achieved from bent corners and fewer seams are only possible with acrylic.

(Message edited by forrest on August 08, 2006)
 
ok i found the same tank on line for 149 dollars and a semi nice stand for 88 dollars.

Apon looking into air pumps and eletricity used per hour.
Whisper 40 Air Pump
Single air outlet. 2.9 Watts. Approximately 5-3/4” x 3-1/4” x 2-3/4” tall. For aquariums up to 40 gallons.

Any one know a Filter that uses low ammount of watts or at least a filter that tells you how many watts it uses.
 
acrylic can swell with heat and bulge out also they are easy to scratch, so a scraper or cleaner magnet is out of the question and like already stated you need of full stand so support the weight as the base won't.
acrylic will shatter just as easy as glass but then again who's going to be throwing things at it or dropping heavy objects into it.
 
The acrlyic tank came, i cant believe how light it is. now waiting on my stand and sand to come hehe

I did get the 30 gallon Long tank, 36x12x16 or so.
 
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