New setup for C. cyanurus

[garrison]

I was going to post this in the Cynops section since it's not one of the more common species asked about, but it is a setup question.

So, I got a really nice deal on a 30g tank and I've decided to move my seven C.cyanurus in it. I'm looking to make it a mostly aquatic setup since my newts have shown no desire to go on land. Since their last setup was a bit smaller, for upkeep purposes, I kept it more functional than aesthetically pleasing. Since this is a larger more stable tank I'd like to focus more on the latter. What I'm coming up with for ideas are pretty similar to some of the nicer C. ensicauda setups I've seen posted here.

My problem is figuring out what substrate to use and resultingly what type of filtration. I've seen different setups using varying sizes of gravel or streambed stones. I'm worried if I pick something too small it could be ingested and lead to intestinal blockage. I'm thinking if it's too large then food will hide and be tough to get at or clean. I've considered sand but I've had bad luck with it getting stuck in power filters and grinding their rotors.

This leads me to my next concern, filtration. I plan on packing it with plants, but I do have medium power filter at my disposal that I'm sure I could find a creative way to divert flow. I guess my other option is a corner filter but I worry about it's effectiveness for that tank volume.

While the pics on cc have helped a lot I can't really seem to get a close up to see some of these details. I'd like to know how others have their tanks setup for this/similar species. Any other advice is certainly welcome too.

 

[edward]

With respect to the sand, you can usually keep it out of the power filters if you initially wash it really well to remove the finer abrasive particulates.
Also you can reduce it being picked up by the power filter by raising the level of the intake to a level about 3/4 of the way up from the bottom of the tank.
Alternatively, using a sponge filter with a sand bed is a lot easier.
I use a larger gravel with cyanurus at work but the food does get hidden in the food pretty easily which is why I have an area of the bottom free of any gravel to allow most of the food to be consumed (a shallow bowl can be set into the gravel in the tank for the same reason allowing the easy vacuming of the uneaten food particles).

Ed

 

[jennifer]

Garrison, what do you mean by power filter? The "waterfall" type? If you used a corner or sponge filter, you might want to have 2 of them for a tank that size. This is still reasonable, as they are cheap and could run from the same pump.

I use fine sand (pool filter type) in a lot of my setups, including C. cyanurus. Some gets eaten, but if it's very small, it just goes right through. I am using corner filters and canister filters. There has been no sand getting into the canister filters.

 

[justin]

I like having a bare bottom as I their undersides reflect very well from it and I can enjoy their colors regardless of their orientation. I think if I want to go for a bit of a fancier setup I will still leave sections open to viewing, but use some large river gravel in some spots and larger flat rocks towards the back and scape the aquarium a bit. I know Ed has also mentioned about having open areas where he feeds so as to not have the food items get in the substrate as much.
j

 

[garrison]

I think that I'm going to go with natural colored sand and use some corner filters for the setup. I think I'm going to keep the sand pretty shallow though as to not allow an anaerobic layer. Does anyone know the maximum depth of oxygen getting to the bacteria in sand?