New setup for CFB or Eastern's / canister filter, sponge filter, or no filter?

[ctenosaura]

I'm planning on getting some CFB and some eastern newts. Setting up two tanks or two sweater boxes. If a tank is better, is it best to have a filter? If so which one is best for these species? If no filter is best then a sweater box with daily water changes?

Thanks
MM

 

[minorhero]

I'm planning on getting some CFB and some eastern newts. Setting up two tanks or two sweater boxes. If a tank is better, is it best to have a filter? If so which one is best for these species? If no filter is best then a sweater box with daily water changes?

Thanks
MM

A filter is definitely better. I prefer canister filters by a wide margin but which you go with probably depends on your diy ability. Newts can climb glass. Not well, but well enough to escape a tank that doesn't have a lid. Most people buy a standard sized tank then use a off the shelf mesh lid. They can poke an airline tube through the mesh so they end up using a sponge filter.

I make my own lids then drill a hole for the Lily pipes. If that's beyond you, using a sponge filter is likely your only option. Just be sure to clean it weekly as newts are prone to eye problems when debris builds up in the water and sponge filters are not great at gathering debris as baseline and mostly useless when clogged.

 

[Niels D]

Keep in mind that Cynops/Hypselotriton orientalis doesn't like a strong current.

 

[Peter Cynops]

I have always kept my aquatic newts in fish tanks with wire mesh lids and often without a filter. It depends, however, on you you feed them. I usually take the newts out to feed them or watch while they eat their nightcrawler to ensure that there is no dead or rotting food left behind. A tank with gravel and plants becomes it's own ecosystem that can be stable over long periods of time. I just add water as needed and clean out the tank a two / three times a year. My newts have been doing well with that for many years, some for decades.

 

[LlamaLand]

I'm planning on getting some CFB and some eastern newts. Setting up two tanks or two sweater boxes. If a tank is better, is it best to have a filter? If so which one is best for these species? If no filter is best then a sweater box with daily water changes?

Thanks
MM

Properly cycled and heavily planted tank with a filter is highly recommended. Recently I have been getting filters rated for about double the volume of the tank to keep the water extra clean.

Weekly ~25% water changes, feeding ~every other day as well as monitoring how much you feed is recommended to keep water clean in addition to a powerful filter.

Low to medium flow is good, many people say how newts hate medium to high flow, but I have found large populations of newts in larval and adult stages in very high flow rivers and streams, they will use the strong flow to travel quickly and easily, but pull off to the side into eddies (pockets of calmer water) to forage and rest. That being said I'd avoid high flow, but medium flow is fine. With medium flow, put the flow at the surface of the water and adjust so that the water in the lower levels of the tank isn't moving quickly. I check to make sure that the newts can swim without struggling or being pushed around.

If you give me more details on the specifics of the enclosures you plan to set up I can help more!

 

[LlamaLand]

I have always kept my aquatic newts in fish tanks with wire mesh lids and often without a filter. It depends, however, on you you feed them. I usually take the newts out to feed them or watch while they eat their nightcrawler to ensure that there is no dead or rotting food left behind. A tank with gravel and plants becomes it's own ecosystem that can be stable over long periods of time. I just add water as needed and clean out the tank a two / three times a year. My newts have been doing well with that for many years, some for decades.

Even in heavily planted tanks I would still highly recommend a filter. Even lust a simple sponge filter. In addition, weekly water changes should be done.