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My TetraFauna Viquarium

HelmsRacing

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First Newt Setup

Hello, this is my first Newt setup. I have never had newts before and am excited to get some. Here it is. I purchased the TetraFauna Viquarium and put it in a 20L tank.
 

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NachoMom

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Cute set up, looks like your newts will be happy once you get some plants in there! What kind of newts specifically are you planning on getting? I have had excellent luck with java moss, it provides an excellent cushion over the gravel and will grow pretty much anywhere. Make sure the species you get cannot swallow those rocks in case of impaction - its not a fun experience for the animal or the owner. Pothos is another very hardy plant that gorws well in water and planted in soil should you decide to go that route. Hygrophilia is another good choice, and I have used small banana plants scattered along the bottom to add a unique touch. However, I use a sand substrate so I am not sure how well they would do on a gravel base.
Check out Jennewt's Plant Page, she has some excellent photos and descriptions of each specimens growing requirements and optimal temperature range. This will be a factor in deciding which plants will thrive in your little paradise and which will fade away. The Vivariums and Enclosures forum also has some excellent suggestions, and there is a separate subsection for Plants in Vivariums as well. I hope you find some good inspiration, and good luck with the rest of your construction!
 

deliriah

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I think it looks beautiful. The only concern I have of course is the size of those pebbles. What species are you planning to keep in there? Swallowing gravel is always a threat to any newts/salamanders you are planning to keep. Please keep in mind that the pebbles/rock should be larger than the animals head in size, they will swallow rocks larger than you think they're able to.
 

evut

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Re: First Newt Setup

I think the gravel might be problematic - you will be getting a lot of waste trapped in the "land" area without the possibility to clean it easily (but I'm not sure how the whole set up works so I could be wrong - what are you going to put on the stones, is it going to be dry?).
The size of the substrate might also be an issue if the animals can swallow it.

Have a look at the housing articles here http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/articles.shtml
 
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Joost

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Re: First Newt Setup

I use similar setups for raising juveniles. This kind of setup can work if you are able to create a biological balance in it. In the waterpart under the landarea can live aquatic bacteria and micro-organism which can take care of the waste. Also you need a lot of plants, and even some snails or shrimp.
I've never had problems with gravel in 17 years, and I think swallowing gravel is minimal (exept for axolotls).
 

DeCypher

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Re: First Newt Setup

It looks great! :D What species do you plan on putting in there?

~You sure do have a lot of extra space in the water. You should get some plants in!
 

HelmsRacing

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Re: First Newt Setup

Yeah I plan on getting some plant action in there today! Not quite sure what types of plants yet im gonna go thru the forum and check everything out. I will probably buy some blue or red cherry shrimp and some guppies to finish off the water area and get some moss for the dry area. as for waste trapped in the land area, the water gets filtered thru the front of the setup and the rear to insure a full flow of water at all times. im not sure what type of species yet tho!!! Around here all they have at the pet store is fire belly newts so unless i want to buy online thats what it looks like ill be getting.
 

eldaldo

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The first newt tank is always so exciting! Everyone has been giving you some good advice, but here's mine. Buy your newts Captive Bred (CB) online. the number of bad experiences people have from pet store newts are as numerous as the stars.

I personally bought two who died in a couple days, which is not a good experience in my opinion.

However, all of my CB newts were healthy and survived. Right now is the beginning of breeding season too, so there should be alot of baby newts all over the place before too long. Michael Shrom is a breeder and member here who sends out an email list of available newts every month. I have bought from him several times. His animals are excellent, and he usually has plenty of varieties available. If you search him in the forum you can probably find him and message him. also look in the for sale section. There's usually animals available there too.
 

HelmsRacing

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Thanks for the advice! Im not sure what type of newt i want quite yet but I do know i want ones that are very active on land and in water! any advice helps!
 

michael

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Re: First Newt Setup

I think the gravel might be problematic - you will be getting a lot of waste trapped in the "land" area without the possibility to clean it easily

(but I'm not sure how the whole set up works so I could be wrong -

Their is a filter the water goes through before it passes through the gravel. The gravel acts like a huge biological filter. If you put moss on top of the gravel you are good to go. The land area stays pretty wet and limits what plants you can use a little. I have moss, ferns, liverwort, and plants similar to that in mine.
 

PhilbertCoffee

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I know this is an ancient thread, but I was thinking of this product myself and was concerned the opening in the outflow was large enough for newts to climb in. Can anyone tell me if they have had an issue with this, and if there is a way to correct the problem?
 

michael

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The opening is covered with a cap that has a lip hanging down. Tiny newts could crawl down the outflow but I've never had a problem. I've used viquariums for green marbled newts, southern crested newts, all sizes of mossy frogs, and baby albino bullfrogs.
 

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PhilbertCoffee

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The opening is covered with a cap that has a lip hanging down. Tiny newts could crawl down the outflow but I've never had a problem. I've used viquariums for green marbled newts, southern crested newts, all sizes of mossy frogs, and baby albino bullfrogs.




Thank You. Mine arrived today and came with a couple pieces of spongy material to fill these crevices.
 

PhilbertCoffee

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Just added water and started filter. Open to ideas on plants and decorations for the water area. I have a little more room to work moving up from a 20L to a 40 breeder.
 

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PhilbertCoffee

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My guys exploring their new digs :)
 

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