New CFBN set-up

[InsolitusMundus]

Well here's some quick pictures(if I'v done this right) of my attempt at a half-decent newt set-up. I'v really not much idea what the plants are but he seems to really appreciate the bushy one in the corner and has rarely left it since settling down - until he had to see the camera that is!
I got stones instead of sand, partly due to the price and partly due to the fact the sand was a choice of blue and pink - thought these seemed more natural. You can't really see so well in the pictures but that rock ornament creates a small island incase he isn't feeling so great and wants to sit out - does this seem appropriate? Next to that there is a small box/corner filter, I'v out it there to make sure it doesn't create any current although it is set quite low and he doesn't seem bothered by it.

Any tweaks?(barring the filter) - Opinions please!

 

[Martin21114]

I like it, looks like a good start to me. Just wait a few months for the plants to really start growing in, then I bet it'll look even better. Does your newt need a friend? Looks like plenty of room in there.

 

[InsolitusMundus]

Thanks for the reply, good to know when something's right.
The plants are just growing in the little spounge and weight things I bought them in, do they need planting or anything to grow into or will they just set roots in the stones or do fine as is?
As for a friend I think I'd like to get him one, the tank is 10gal - that good for two CFBN? I'm also not sure where to get one, don't know how comfortable I'd be buying one now knowing they're wild caught and I'v heard it's hard to come by captive bred adults.

 

[evut]

I am not a big fan of the stones - they will trap a lot of dirt and I can't imagine that it's a nice surface for the newt to walk on. You could just use play sand from a DIY store, it would be a lot cheaper than specialised aquarium sand. You just need to rinse it well and keep the layer quite thin. Some plants can grow well in sand. You could also put some soil under the sand and this way you can have a heavily planted tank, which the newt would certainly appreciate.

Regarding a companion for your newt, you could try placing an ad in the wanted section. There are people who breed this species.