My tank so far

[Lachlan McKillo]

I have a chiller and filter on the way, they will most likely be installed either under or to the left of the tank.

Just looking for some plant advice I used play sand as a substrate not sure if that will support live plants I doubt it so I was looking for someone who knows of some really high quality silk plants I can get on the net.

 

[HayleyK]

The photo didn't work.

However silk is more expensive than plastic. I have found that silk leaks the red dye they use (if you use a red/purple plant) and it came from an expensive-ish brand. But ebay is probably your best bet for price.

 

[axowattyl]

I have a chiller and filter on the way, they will most likely be installed either under or to the left of the tank.

Just looking for some plant advice I used play sand as a substrate not sure if that will support live plants I doubt it so I was looking for someone who knows of some really high quality silk plants I can get on the net.

If it's Bunnings playsand plants grow in it like wildfire!

Mine do anyway.

The only other factor with mine is that I use some water hardening salt that contains a few trace elements as well, but I've been very pleased with the growth of my plants so far.

The trick is to go with low light/cold water plants such as Anubia, Java Fern, Hygrophilia (I think) and Java Moss.

Both my tanks are cycled nicely now, but I think the one with live plants is just nicer water (opinion only, they both test ok).

 

[Lachlan McKillo]

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hopefully that works this time, and yeah it was sand from bunnings, richgro brand.

 

[Elise]

You don't want much more than a 1/2 - 1 inch of sand for a substrate. With the amount you have, large portions of the sand wouldn't be agitated and you'll end up with anaerobic conditions and gas pockets. As axolotls like to thrash and dig, they can disrupt an anaerobic zone and release something highly toxic like hydrogen sulfide.

 

[HayleyK]

You'll also need hides as axolotls don't have eyelids, they can get stressed from the lights with no where to hide. Agree with Elise too, that sand is far too thick and will cause a build up.

 

[Lachlan McKillo]

oh ok thank you very much for that info I have so much because I tried to raise the water level without having the tank so deep and still look nice.
So is the gases caused by organisms that need little to no oxygen and it just builds up in pockets in the sand?

I have a single hide right now just a rock held up by sand in the center there but I guess that idea is out the window cause it requires to much sand.

 

[HayleyK]

oh ok thank you very much for that info I have so much because I tried to raise the water level without having the tank so deep and still look nice.
So is the gases caused by organisms that need little to no oxygen and it just builds up in pockets in the sand?

I have a single hide right now just a rock held up by sand in the center there but I guess that idea is out the window cause it requires to much sand.

If you're worried the water will be too high for your axolotl - it won't be .

And for the hide, I prefer both ends open as if they need to get out there's two ends! (Not very bright animals at times :lol plus if there's more than 1 you don't want it to feel cornered.

 

[Lachlan McKillo]

Nah it was more to keep me from getting my arm wet heh.

 

[Lachlan McKillo]

so if they like to dig and get a bit spastic at times are they likely to up root plants? and i take it 1 inch of sand is enough for a plant to root into?

 

[HayleyK]

Your plants will most likely get up rooted haha! Mine were constantly getting uprooted that's why I chose more fake than real, although real looks a ton better. You can place them in little pots or a shot glass instead of straight in the sand.

 

[Lachlan McKillo]

I'am looking for the most natural look I can get so maybe I could plant them and make them hard to get at by using some stones bigger than the axies head.

Not to sure what to use as a hide now, any suggestions of some awesome realistic hides or things I could use as hides remembering natural?

 

[HayleyK]

Driftwood and rocks are good choices. I have an awesome bit of driftwood which I have attached a plant to (this could be an idea to avoid your axolotl tearing it up) and it has a pretty cool hide - driftwood with hides can be hard to come across so be patient. I also found some nice flat rocks from a beach. I thoroughly boiled them and layed them out in the sun for a few days, tested if the rocks were safe, and then reboiled them again before adding to my tank. Be careful of some rocks, but slate is really good. Here's a pic for an idea.

I've also seen people using BPA Tupperware-sort of containers, cutting out a hole or two for the axolotl to fit through, sanding the edges down and then using aquarium silicon to glue down different rocks and such which looks pretty good too.

Check out the "post pictures of your tanks" thread for a load of inspiration!

 

[Boomsloth]

Floating plants are also a great investment and obviously can't be uprooted. If you don't have a green thumb I would recommend java fern, java moss, maybe some moss balls. They will help reduce nitrates as they grow but water changes are always a must.

 

[Lachlan McKillo]

is this big enough for an axolotl hide?
Tree Bark Cave Aquarium Ornament decor Drift Wood Trunk | eBay

 

[EmbryH]

It's not even two inches tall... It'd work for a smaller axolotl, I guess. I've got a big meaty guy, so maybe it just seems small to me because I'm used to having to buy huge hides x) It looks nice, though.

 

[Lachlan McKillo]

Yeah thought it might be a bit to small heh looking at two much larger ones now.

 

[Flee]

I went to my local pet store and bought a half log. I think I paid $12 and its pretty big Ive seen 4 axies in it at once top to tail I think the brand was aqua one?? it can be used in water or land for lizards.

the store City farmers have the best range of tank item and some natural looking. When I was setting up my tank I had trouble finding things I wanted for my tank.

 

[Boomsloth]

Go to any hardware store selling large diameter PVC piping. Sand the edges down a bit and the axolotls will love it.

 

[layna]

I got one of these for my axies https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=t...LBhAfYr4GACA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=711

Ive attached a pic of mine below



I also use mopani wood and very large rocks as i prefer the more natural look in my tank