Beginners questions.

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Pandamonium

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Hello everyone!

I am kind of new to this and I've been reading up alot'l (ha-ha) on how to keep these aquatic animals.

I got interested after seeing a fully grown one in a pet store, which I straight away knew that it's not taken care of properly there. So when I arrived
at home again I couldn't stop thinking of the poor fella. As I had a spare 40gal tank I decided to take care of it. If all goes according to plan,
I am going to pick it up next week.
But first, I do have some questions.

1. I was thinking of having really fine sand (absolutely not anywhere near gravel), but I like black substrate for my tanks. Here we do have this black fine sand
that is safe for fish. The problem is that apparently it is a tad too sharp for the corydoras species that lives on the bottom, their sprouts can get worn out by it.
I do not feel or think this sand is sharp at all though. Could I use this for the axolotl? I don't really know how sensitive they are.

2. I am going to use an "Aquael fan 3 plus filter". I will lower the stream coming from it. But apart from this filter,
do I need to use an oxygen stone or something like that? I only use these filters for my normal fishtanks which must mean the fish get oxygen from the filter too
so no extra oxygen supply is neccessary?

3. Is it safe to use reptilecaves and rocks for aquarium use with axolots?

4. What kinds of fish can I have together with my axolotl? I was thinking of buying one or two ancistus or perhaps a pleco or something like that,
about 6 inches big if they can go in cold water so they cleanout the algae.

5. I will feed my axolotl alot of live food, but I am wondering about the pellets. Which brands are good? Remember I live in Sweden and can't buy
everything you have there.
Please name some brands of pellets that is ok for axolotls :)


Thanks for listening.
 
Hello your black substrate would be easier to comment on if you can add a picture, but if it feels fine between your fingers when wet, then it may be ok, use it but keep an eye on your axolotl and how it responds to the sand, if it does not like it or seems to be agitated by it, then you will maybe have to try another option, bare bottom tank or playsand are other cheap options, although would recommend sieving playsand as there can be small stones hidden within that could cause impaction. 2. Depending on what level you will have your tank filled to, i usually fill mine a quarter or a bit below halfway, then my filter flows out and disturbs the surface creating oxygen in the water, but you can use an airstone/filter, i do both with a slow flow from both as axolotls do prefer relatively calm water. 3. Reptile cave should be fine, always make sure to give them a clean rinse before adding to your tank, especially if has been in a previous set-up, axolotls love to hide so ideal, rocks, there are many different types, so its best to make sure which type you intend on using and give them a clean rinse before adding. 4. Any fish you add may just end up inside your axolotls tummy, some people use guppies or other small fish as food for axolotls, which is fine, but this can also be a way of introducing parasites or diseases that could be harmful to your axolotl, if you just want to add a friend for your axolotl, then another axolotl of same size would be best(although then you have to think more about tank sizes and a few other things). Unfotunately, i can't help with types of pellets as i have never used them. Hope this helps some.
 
Here's my idea :D grab a bowl (the almost flat ones or a saucer) and place some of you sand on it that way if it all goes south, you have very little cleaning up :)
 
Make sure your black sand is not coal slag, black beauty or black diamond sand or anything like it. thoroughly inspect it for long or extra large peices in it.
Trust me I know about bad sand.
 
Sand looks like this and is 0,2-1,5mm grain size. Also read that it is not safe for shrimp and some other fish because it has some metals in it, but I have used this for my shrimps without any problems, and other people also report that they've been using this for years without any problems at all with any fish..

KrpiN.jpg
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:eek:Run Away, Run Away as fast as U can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek: that is the very same sand I was talking about, dig thru a batch of it and U will find long pieces which would be very dangerous on their own, but also long pieces shaped like needles :eek: I even tried sifting the sand but its not possible to remove the dangerous pieces.

I lost 2 axolotls to this sand...:(

I do have this sand in a fish tank and its not caused a problem they dont eat sand, axies do eat sand.
 
axiekeeper said:
:eek:Run Away, Run Away as fast as U can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek: that is the very same sand I was talking about, dig thru a batch of it and U will find long pieces which would be very dangerous on their own, but also long pieces shaped like needles :eek: I even tried sifting the sand but its not possible to remove the dangerous pieces.

I lost 2 axolotls to this sand...:(

I do have this sand in a fish tank and its not caused a problem they dont eat sand, axies do eat sand.
Click to expand...

Actually I have but I can't find any long pieces that you are talking about.. and nothing sharp, maybe it's not the same? I mean all black sand in this grainsize must look the same anyways. How do you know the axolotl's died because of the sand? D:
 
thru Autopsy unfortuneatly.
Is it coal slag? Sandblasting sand? What is the products name?
It looks spot on for black diamond sand, including the heavy metal warning for shrimp.
I didnt see the long pieces at first, but after a week I started to notice them. Then I tried zifting it cause it iz awesome looking sand and thats when I found the needles, there small and hard to detect.
 
axiekeeper said:
thru Autopsy unfortuneatly.
Is it coal slag? Sandblasting sand? What is the products name?
It looks spot on for black diamond sand, including the heavy metal warning for shrimp.
I didnt see the long pieces at first, but after a week I started to notice them. Then I tried zifting it cause it iz awesome looking sand and thats when I found the needles, there small and hard to detect.
Click to expand...

Yes it is sandblasting sand.
I really hate the normal light beachsand.. maybe there's a darker sand that's darker brown?
Or do you have any other suggestions?
 
Also, how small should the grainsize be so it's safe for them? I've found to 2-3mm but is that too big if they were to swallow it?
 
I really wanted to keep the black sand as well, but ended up goong with some local natural sand instead.

As far as minerals I wouldnt be too concerned, as long as it isnt limestone or marble, will make water too hard and contribute to diatom algae.

There are some more spendy black sand options out there like mentioned.
 
Hi, i cannot comment on your sand as i have no idea about black sand i hve normal aquarium sand. I use reptile hides and so far so good everyone in my tank love em i have 2 axies and a plec and have had no trouble what so ever and although some people say dont do it i felt the need they all get on fine and dandy :) not sure if the pics will show but please tell me if they do or dont so i know for future reference :)
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1351452477.629005.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1351452494.982740.jpg
 
Yes I can see the pictures :) I found the desert sand for a reasonable price but I need to know if it's safe before I order. It says it's all natural with no addons and not dyed.. so it should be safe, right?
 
I dont see why not? The pet store i got san from were very helpful i initially picked up a sand they said may have been irritant to axies and so pointed out an okay one :) thank god as i didnt know any sand was different :/ x
 
But as a tip with all sand rinse 1st as you will end up with a cloudy tank (yes i made the mistake ) san falls through a sieve but found my fishnet held it well to rinse :) x
 
Moobear2010 said:
Hi, i cannot comment on your sand as i have no idea about black sand i hve normal aquarium sand. I use reptile hides and so far so good everyone in my tank love em i have 2 axies and a plec and have had no trouble what so ever and although some people say dont do it i felt the need they all get on fine and dandy :) not sure if the pics will show but please tell me if they do or dont so i know for future reference :)
View attachment 25500View attachment 25501
Click to expand...

The second picture looks like a death trap waiting to happen. I know the first response will be "my pleco has never hurt my axie" but I would trust the 100s of people who say how they often can suck on the axie and kill them.
 
Plecos and axies are not compatible. A quick forum search will reveal a couple of horror stories that should change your mind. Also, your sand is extremely thick and will cause anaerobic pockets. These can cause hydrogen sulfide gas to build up and bubble up, killing anything in their path.

Reptile sand is usually not aquarium safe. I do not recommend using it for axolotls.
 
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