Slate tile substrate

[ctenosaura]

I've always preferred bare bottom tanks and have use slate tile in one of my display fish tanks. Are there any concerns about using a slate tile bottom substrate in a newt tank? I'll get the look of natural stone and the cleaning ease of a bare bottom. Photo is of slate bottom tank.
Thanks

 

[minorhero]

Newts like a well planted tank. The biggest issue would be a more limited plant selection. Plus substrate holds most of the beneficial bacteria in a tank so if you go without, your filters ability to hold the bacteria matters more. In a substrate tank with plants if you nuke your filter when cleaning by using tap water with chlorine, it's not a big deal. In a bare bottom tank, it matters a lot more.

That said, if you go in knowing those things you can easily plan around it.

 

[Niels D]

You can use this method, but I strongly prefer tanks with substrate and lush vegetation when it comes to newts. These tanks don't need a lot of cleaning. As long as it's in balance, you should refill the water which has evaporated, especially when you've got a couple of emersed plants in it to filter out more nitrates. Aquariums with a substrate have a much larger buffer in case of unforeseen situations that could potentially threaten the balance.