Tank size

[Dusky]

Hello, I'm new here and do not currently have an axolotl. I have played with the idea of getting one for awhile, but I do not wish to do so until I know I can provide a comfortable home for an eventual adult.

While I have no experience with these guys I am experienced in other Aquarium fish keeping. So I'm not a complete beginner.

I've read the housing page here and seen where it shows 10gal as a minimum home. I would like to get some personal opinions though and see if you all felt 10gal would be a comfortable home for an adult?

I do currently have a free 10 gallon I could use, but I don't have room to set up my 20.
Could I get some thoughts on the matter?

 

[headFeed]

My axolotl lived in a 10 gallon tank for most of his life, however it isn't the most ideal permanent housing. I recently moved up to a 17 gallon tall one (it was either that or a 40 gallon)
and it's not a big difference in space but it definitely looks roomier.

Anyway, 10 gallon is fine for a growing baby axolotl, but within a year they grow to full size and will need something bigger. If you absolutely don't have room for a 20 gal then you should probably wait to get an axolotl until you can make space.
They just look so cramped when they grow into their full size in a 10 gal, and you can hardly decorate!

 

[NaterPotater]

A 10 gallon tank would be enough for one axolotl to be healthy if you do regular water changes (once a week or more), but that isn't very much space for one to move around when full-grown. I'm sure you've seen all over the place that the rule is basically 10 gallons per axolotl, or, preferably, 10n + 10 (10 gallons per axolotl plus an extra 10 gallons, or 20 gallons for 1 axolotl, 30 gallons for 2, 40 for 3, etc). There's two principles to it: water volume and floor surface area. Axolotls produce a BUNCH of waste, so they can foul the water pretty quickly. That's why you want at least 10 gallons per axolotl. In terms of the surface area rule, they swim around occasionally but mostly just hang out on the bottom. It's best for them to have plenty of space to walk around. You want a long tank rather than a tall tank. The absolute ideal for one axolotl is a 20 gallon long so that the tank is over twice as long as the full-grown axolotl. It would probably be better to have two axolotls in a 20-gallon than one axolotl in a 10. You want enough water volume so you don't have to do water changes every day and enough space so they can run around and swim if they choose to.

 

[Viking]

Would a 40 breeder big enough for several adults?

 

[LSuzuki]

40 gal breeders are very comfortable for 3 large adults. The extra roomy "floor" space is very nice.