5 Axies, 1 tank.

[Shizeric]

What do you folks think? I currently have (3) 5" juveniles, and (2) 9" juveniles, and I would like to keep them all in 1 tank when they are eventually the same size. I currently have the 3 younger ones in a 37 gallon, and the 2 larger in a 30 gallon.

Does anyone keep this number of Axolotls together, and if so, what size tank has worked out for you.

Or...does anyone just have any suggestions as to what may work?

Thanks.

 

[dragonlady]

Thanks, Shizeric for asking this as I have a few myself (9) and have been contemplating how to divide them up as only 2 are adults at this point.

I have been told you can keep as many as 5 in a 55 gal. and if you follow the rule of 10 gal. per axolotl, this should be doable. However, if you go by the other school of thought where 18" per axolotl is allowable, then that means only 3. However, that would mean only 3-4 in a 75 while the 10 gal rule says 7.

I, personally, am going to attempt 4 in my 55 where my two adults reside now. I'll be adding more plants and another hide or two and see how it goes. I am considering a 120 or a custom build as well. I will need to ship a couple of kids over to the grandparents in order for the latter to work though. lol

I'm curious to see what kinds of responses you get to this.

 

[Shizeric]

Yeah, and since the rule is usually based on the tanks footprint, I wonder if a 45 gallon long would be just as suitable as a 55 gallon.

The dimensions of a 45 and 55 are:

48 x 12½ x 17 Tall (45)
48 x 12½ x 21 Tall (55)

A 4" high difference would save a lot of weight and contribute significantly to ease of maintenance.

 

[melfly]

I would put a maximum of 4 in a 55 gallon.
I think 5 is too many.
If it were me i'd try to get a 5 foot tank...not sure what that is in gallons......but litres...lol (or split them up)

Mel

 

[tomkeogh]

I have a 55. but it is a meter x half meter x half so larger than those dimensions, my opinion from looking at my tank any more than 3 would be un-practical, I think for large tanks a foot per axolotl sounds ok, 5 axolotl in a 5 foot tank etc maybe a bit cramped though? my opinion I may be wrong!

 

[melfly]

I agree with Tom, I think it'd also depends on the width. Mine is 39 x 16 inch. i think some are like 12 width. The few inches in width makes quite a difference. And yours is a bit bigger than mine Tom. (I still wanna swap!!)
I have 3 adults comfortably in there.

I can see your point Tom, the problems with having 5 in 5 foot is the amounts of hides you could fit in it, and then the space for the axolotls themselves.

Mel

 

[tomkeogh]

Oops, my tank is only 40inches long by 18 sorry I calculated wrong

 

[melfly]

Oops, my tank is only 40inches long by 18 sorry I calculated wrong

Its still bigger than mine...and i still have tank envy!! lol

Mel

 

[dragonlady]

48 x 12½ x 21 Tall (55)

A 4" high difference would save a lot of weight and contribute significantly to ease of maintenance.

So true! I have to use a step for my 55 (I'm only 5'3")!!

The footprint rule is why I mentioned the 75, a lot more weight, a lot more volume, but it's footprint dimensions are not much larger than a 55 (48"x18" vs. 48"x12").

I like the idea of the 45 long but aren't they difficult to find? I might still opt for the custom route if I can get up the nerve to build it myself!

 

[Mac Myers]

Shannon,
I've tried to build two tanks. One all glass and one with just a front window. I had done the INSIDE of so many I figured it couldn't be that hard. And It wasn't hard to make functional tanks at all. Both were of moderate construction difficulty. Both held water quite well. Both looked like something you would scrape off of the bottom of your shoe. And both were banished to the garage by the wife.
I seem to be one of those people who can tell when something is great... I just can't make anything great!
If you have any more luck than I did post some pictures!

 

[tomkeogh]

Shannon,
I've tried to build two tanks. One all glass and one with just a front window. I had done the INSIDE of so many I figured it couldn't be that hard. And It wasn't hard to make functional tanks at all. Both were of moderate construction difficulty. Both held water quite well. Both looked like something you would scrape off of the bottom of your shoe. And both were banished to the garage by the wife.
I seem to be one of those people who can tell when something is great... I just can't make anything great!
If you have any more luck than I did post some pictures!

I built my tank it looks good, and would look better if I had cleaned up the silicone a little more, the only aspects I am unhappy with is the blob of silicone on the cross brace (although I prefer seeing the silicone than not having a brace!) and the base which for some reason I decided to wrap in duct tape.

 

[dragonlady]

Shannon,
Both held water quite well. Both looked like something you would scrape off of the bottom of your shoe. And both were banished to the garage by the wife.

Thanks, Mac. That's exactly what I am afraid of! I can connect a to b following directions, but as for creating something on my own from scratch, well...that's a different story!

Believe me, if I am successful, I will post many, many pics!

 

[Shizeric]

Soo..today after I made this post (at work) I brought my students to the library and there was the most incredible fish tank I have ever seen. The tank of my dreams. The measurements were (based on my rough guesstimates and the tools I had available) 72"x18"x18" and made by marineland. The tank only housed about 6 small goldfish, and I spent the entire class period imagining my Axolotls' new home.

 

[michael]

So true! I have to use a step for my 55 (I'm only 5'3")!!

I like the idea of the 45 long but aren't they difficult to find? I might still opt for the custom route if I can get up the nerve to build it myself!

glasscages.com build custom built tanks. They also handle many of the breeder style tanks that are not as high as normal tanks. They will be at the Repticon show near Baltimore, Md. on May 15& 16. I've ordered tanks from them before and picked up at shows.

I'd still go with 1 axolotl per 10 gallons and if it is a breeder style tank squeeze in an extra animal or two. With large tanks with many axolotls a good biological filter is real important. My 60 gallon acrylic has a minireef filter. On occasion I've had 7 or 8 adult axolotls in there for temporary housing. It is bare bottom which makes cleaning easier.

 

[Shizeric]

Yeah, I've contacted glasscages.com, but they don't ship glass, only acrylic. It's no rush, and I'll wait until I find something I know will be perfect, I just wanted to get some opinions. I really want to find out what size tank I saw today, as it seems absolutely perfect.

 

[Shizeric]

From glasscages.com


100 Long
72" x 18" x 17" Tall$323

100 gallon long....I think I've found what I need.

 

[michael]

Check show schedules. I know glasscages.com comes up to the White Plains N.Y. show. That shouldn't be to bad of a haul from Connecticut. They will bring custom ordered glass tanks to shows.

If you are serious a 100 gallon long tank it will be a hassle to move and set up. I like an iron stand with two big tanks on it. One of my stands has a 40 gallon breeder on top and a 70 gallon tank on the bottom. The breeder came from glasscages and I picked up the 70 gallon used.

 

[Shizeric]

I don't see why it would be too difficult to setup, I'd probably order a hood and base from glasscages.com as well. I know it's a great deal of water, but aside from sheer size I don't see anything too difficult about it.

 

[dragonlady]

If you do set this up, Shizeric, you have to post pics! That sounds like a dream come true to me! That would house all my current brood and free up 3 tanks for...well...more...teeheehee!!

 

[shoegal]

Eric~ those little yellow axies are going to LOVE a 100-gallon tank!!! I'm so happy some of the babies ended up with you. They are going to be spoiled rotten. : )