Any Advice?

[jennifer]

Hi! I'm going to the store tonight to buy the set up stuff for a newt (im going to do a 1/2 water, 1/2 land), and this is what I have on my list so far:
10 gallon tank
gravel&sand
filter
aquarium sealer and divider
plants
small light

Then over the weekend, I am going to go get a newt and food, after the tank has run for a few days. Is there anything else that i would need? Are there any suggestions as this is my first newt. Anything would be helpfull. Please either post here, or email me at o0o_pryncess_penguin_o0o@yahoo.com Thank you.

Jennifer

 

[swan]

How are you planning to divide the water and land?
If you fill the whole land section with gravel it will be quite heavy and you'll have a drainage/cleaning problem.

See the following URL for a description how to do a false bottom and what materials are needed:
http://www.intlamphibday.org/wiki/wiki.asp?SemiaquaticTank

You don't need the sand.
You will need a lid for the tank.

When selecting the light, keep in mind that most lights will increase the temperature of the tank and that you newt won't necessarily need it, you mainly want it for better plant growth.

 

[jennifer]

i looked at a whole bunch of options, and i plan on making a shelf, out of glass, and attaching it about half way up, on a short side, and then put rocks and plants on the "island shelf" and then fill the water to the level of the shelf. there will still be the whole entire tank area for my newt to swim in, and a land area. that way all i have to do is change the water periodically, and rinse the shelf....would this set up work?

 

[mark]

it would be helpful if you could tell us what type of newt you are planning to get?

thanks

Mark

 

[erik]

It will work if you have an aquatic animal in there. It always helps to know what conditions your animals need before you set up the tank.