Empty Tank, Ideas?

[Asevernnnn]

I have an empty 20 long available now, and was wondering what I should do with it.
My original plan was to lower the water level(I set up a tank out of boredom lol) stack slate on the empty end, stack the cork bark on the slate, have some sort of substrate on the slate, and get 1 or 2 T. kweichowensis or T. yangi. But I feel like those are too terrestrial for a tank like this and was looking for suggestions on what to put in it.
I could always alter it like adding water, spreading out everything, removing water, etc. I would attempt to acquire newts either late 2014 or early 2015, since A) I'm broke and B) I have to attempt to care for a never ending breeding season for H. orientalis and I've heard raising their larvae is difficult so i'll be a little occupied with that too lol.
I would appreciate any suggestions, Aaron

 

[Asevernnnn]

My computer is only post one at a time right now, I don't know why lol

 

[Chinadog]

What about some C. pyrrhogaster? They're as easy to look after as H. orientalis and entertaining to watch. Maybe I'd add a couple more plants in a tank for pyrrho's, though.
Btw, that Axolotl in your avatar is a beauty!

 

[Asevernnnn]

What about some C. pyrrhogaster? They're as easy to look after as H. orientalis and entertaining to watch. Maybe I'd add a couple more plants in a tank for pyrrho's, though.
Btw, that Axolotl in your avatar is a beauty!

I've considered C. pyrrhogaster but I kinda wanna try keeping something a little different body wise, so something less similar to H. orientalis. Plus I can never remember how to spell pyrrhogaster lol
I do have a lot more java fern and hornwort though

 

[Ian T]

Personally I would start by thinking about temperature and see which species fit the range you will be able to provide. It's easy to warm a tank but tough to cool one.

 

[Chinadog]

How about Alpine newts? I was given some eggs earlier this year and am really getting to like them. Compared to Cynops the juveniles are easy to feed and pretty much raise themselves! Also, their markings are already stunning.

 

[Azhael]

You are misjudging how similaw C.pyrrhogaster is to H.orientalis, i assure you that up close they are VERY different. The head shape, the tubercles, the tail, the skin texture...Sure they share the basic newt shape, but so do all xD
You could also consider some Triturus or Neurergus depending on your temp range.

 

[Asevernnnn]

Usually the water is around 63-65F but gets a little warmer in the summer. And it'll probably be a little cooler since it's gotten quite cold outside so I'll be having my window open the majority of the day. I have cinsifered Neurergus but probably won't decide on those since they're so expensive CB and even the poorly cared for skinny af kaiseri ive seen at petstores were 75$

 

[Asevernnnn]

Water temp is usually actually like 63-71F, I've been considering Triturus sp. and Tylototriton yangi, I feel like It would be too warm for alpines though, whats the temp range for them?

 

[velasco13000]

Get some kaisers they are the most beautiful species or crocatus

 

[Asevernnnn]

Get some kaisers they are the most beautiful species or crocatus

I don't think I would be able to afford more than 1 Neuregus sp. And I've read that N. crocatus needs a distinct cooling period, and I don't think I could pull that off.

 

[Asevernnnn]

I'll probably go with T. karelinii or T. carnifex depending on whats available early 2015. So, I'll be altering the setup to accommodate for Triturus and post pics of the tank later.

 

[Asevernnnn]

Oh, and for future reference, how many T. karelinii or T. carnifex in a 20 Long?

 

[Asevernnnn]

Does this seem adequate enough? The plants would grow out more, since I would probably get newts early 2015. I wasn't sure about the brown pots, they were labeled like "chocolate pots" and when I put them into a bucket of water they started fizzing, but I assumed it was water getting inside and air being pushed out. But trying to be as careful as possible I decided to do a vinegar test on one of the pieces(piece thats not in the tank), and nothing happened so I put the other pieces in the tank. Thoughts and Suggestions?

 

[Asevernnnn]

I'm so smart, I forgot to attach pictures. Still not letting me post more than one at a time so bare with me.

 

[Asevernnnn]

Closeup Picture

 

[Asevernnnn]

And Closeup of the other side

 

[Chinadog]

Looks good to me, the plants will soon bush out on their own. If the pots pass the vinegar test they should be fine.
I could be wrong, but don't Triturus need cooling down over winter?

 

[Asevernnnn]

Looks good to me, the plants will soon bush out on their own. If the pots pass the vinegar test they should be fine.
I could be wrong, but don't Triturus need cooling down over winter?

Im'm cool with the plants bushing out, I just don't like it when I do it myself lo.
I've read that some Neuregus need a cooling period, but that Triturus need a cooling period to breed.
Anyone know how many Triturus in a 20 long?

 

[Azhael]

Triturus need a cooling period to breed but also for general health. Their hormonal cycles are controlled by temperature and while they are very hardy and tough a constant, year-round temperature might result in problems. However, you can easily winter them in a fridge if nothing else is available. Also, perhaps the biggest attraction from the genus are the gorgeous crests that males can develop and these will only grow to their full potential in optimal conditions which definitely requires an adequate cooling period.
Personally, i wouldn't house more than 3 Triturus in a 20 gallon. They are bulky beasts with big appetites and they can be aggressive during feeding so my advice would be a pair, but a trio is doable....more than that i think would be a mistake.

The set-up is fine, that would work just fine for any Triturus of the cristatus complex. Just allow the plants to invade and form a layer under the surface and it will be a perfectly good home.