Red efts.

[c81kennedy]

So I purchased 4 red efts about 6 months ago or so and had a few questions. They are starting to turn green and I think they are ready to move to the water. How long will it tank a 10 gallon to cycle? I have live plants in there and a pump that was being used for a guppy tank so it should have some beneficial bacteria. As far a transferring them to the water I moved them to a temp critter keeper with a piece of wood and water how long should I leave them before they are ready for the 10 gallon? I took some pictures to show the setup. If you see any flaws or things that should be changed please let me know.
Here's some pictures before they turned green. Can you tell the species?

And here is the temp water setup.

And now the 10 gallon permanent setup.

 

[Azhael]

The species is easy, Notophthamus viridescens viridescens.
I´d recommend changing the substrate to either fine silica sand or no substrate at all. The one you currently have is only going to cause trouble. It could accidentally ingested, which is dangerou and it will trapridiculous amounts of debris which can compromise your water chemistry.
I´d also recommend having plenty more live plants, it will make your life easier and the newts happier.

 

[c81kennedy]

Thanks Ill look into the sand. I picked the gravel for the plants 19.99 for the bag what a waste lol. Do you think if I sunk a feeding dish into the substate I could minimiz the danger of the newts eating the gravel?

 

[Azhael]

They could still eat it. Even if no food fell out of the dish, they might still eat some trying to get to some small inhabitant of the tank or even just because for some reason the gravel looks tasty to them xD It´s a risk no matter how many steps you take to minimize them.
If it helps, it´s a mistake the vaaaaast majority of us has made at some point At least you´re lucky and you haven´t put them in yet.

 

[redtxn]

any updates?