Fire-belly Newt Tank

[xxianxx]

When choosing plants a good option is to source a load of different ones and throw them in the tank, the ones that survive are the ones you use. I have found that even tanks in the same room have slightly different conditions and plants can be fussy, what does well in one tank doesnt thrive in a tank nearby it.

 

[Rubes]

Going to buy java fern and hornwort(whatever's available). And an air-filter. Should I remove the goldfish bowl? That lump of wood is the driftwood.

 

[Jennewt]

You need to provide more solid land. For a newly-acquired newt I would recommend a water level about half of that. If the newt adjusts to water, then you can raise the water level. I would also recommend some more rocks and other hides under the water. I would remove the glass bowl (unless you want to use it to support a nice flat island of some kind. Invert it so that the newt cannot get trapped inside somehow.

Have you looked at photos of other setups for ideas? See
CC setups article:
Caudata Culture Articles - Setups
Forum Photo Gallery for setups:
Caudata.org - Member Galleries - Aquariums, terrariums & vivariums
Forum section devoted to setup photos:
Vivaria, Enclosures & Product Reviews - Photos & Pictures of Enclosures, Vivaria, etc at Caudata.org Newt and Salamander Portal

 

[Sawyer]

Can it float?

Yes, my hornwort floats perfectly and my kaiseri love to play and hide in it, but my java moss doesn't stay at the top, more floats in the bottom to middle of the tank. Both seem to be making headway. Personally I would grab both because like someone else said, you can attach your java to something and it will essentially attach itself to that.

 

[Rubes]

I lowered the water level, and covered the gold fish bowl with two plant saucers and a rock as a land source. I added a Terracotta pot with a wide rim tipped sideways as a hide.

 

[jasper408]

I use hornwort, elodea, java fern, and anubias in my bare-bottom tanks. The hornwort and elodea float, and I attached the java fern and anubias to some mopani wood. I did not use light for a while, and although the plants lived, they did not thrive.

 

[Rubes]

I use hornwort, elodea, java fern, and anubias in my bare-bottom tanks. The hornwort and elodea float, and I attached the java fern and anubias to some mopani wood. I did not use light for a while, and although the plants lived, they did not thrive.

The temperature in my tank remains at the temperature it was when it was first filled up or changed, so I think I'll use a light. Right now I believe it's low 60's, so I think the addition of a filter and light will be okay.

 

[Rubes]

The newts are Chinese fire-belly newts shipped from Singapore.