Question: Age to be kept on sand?

[SammyTheLotus]

Just a quick question! I just bought a new 55 gallon long aquarium and I'm going to fill it with sand! Filter pool sand specifically as it's super fine and I've seen other people recommending it for Axolotl, since there's a minimal risk of impaction on such fine sand. My sibling Axolotls are about 3.5 and 4 inches long right now, I just wanted some opinions: is it safe to keep them on this super fine pool filter sand, or should I wait until they're a little bigger just to be on the safe side?
Here's what it looks like in case anyone is curious!

 

[MoniWonton]

I've kept my two axolotls on fine play sand since day 1. They were both about 3 inches long little babies! Never had any issues what so ever. In the beginning they would injest small amounts of sand when they ate bc I was feeding them live blackworms and some sand would get sucked up while they ate. It never caused any issues though, the sand was fine so they passed it easily. Now they eat earthworms and have no issues swallowing the sand anymore. If you are concerned try using a feeding dish.

 

[MoniWonton]

Also, I didn't know the sand was only supposed to be about 1/4 inch thick to prevent gas pockets, so remember that when you fill up your aquarium. It's a pain to take remove it once it is there! Rookie mistake lol.

 

[Donna001]

My juveniles were on sand substrate at around that size. I have a piece of slate as a feeding area to reduce the amount of sand they might ingest when feeding.
I also have deeper areas of sand, mixed with larger rocks, so they can climb. If you are concerned about gas pockets in deeper areas of sand make sure that you disturb the sand occasionally. I tend to do a more thorough tank clean once a month, which includes moving décor and hides, and disturbing/moving sand. :happy:
Please post pictures of your new set up when it is complete.

 

[AxolotlChris]

Don't feed any Axolotl on sand to be honest, especially juveniles under 4 inches. Your better off doing it on a feeding plate, why allow them to eat sand when you don't have to? I use a piece of slate, but then I hand feed earthworms so the plate doesn't get used its just decorative now

 

[SammyTheLotus]

Thanks for the responses everyone! My tank is currently cycled and I'm wondering what the best way would be to integrate this new sand? Should I remove the old sand bit by bit and slowly add the pool filter sand? I don't want to remove all the old sand at once because I know from experience that it will kill off a good chunk of my beneficial bacteria..

 

[Skudo09]

It is generally advised not to keep them on sand until they are at least 5-6inches.

Never feed axolotls directly on the sand as sand can still cause impaction if they eat enough of it. Use a feeding dish or hand feed above the sand.

You could syphon a portion of the sand out each day until it is completely gone. At least this way you are not taking it all out in one hit. After the old sand is completely gone, add the new sand. I used a scoop to gently add the new sand into the tank to minimise how much would float around before settling.