First axolotl tank

[Ruthy]

Hi all,

I'm a vet student in Edinburgh just finishing my first year and am looking at keeping an axolotl in the flat for the next four or five years in uni (and obviously then move it back home when I finish). I'm just researching about axolotls and planning what to get for it in terms of food and housing. So far I've decided on this tank:
AquaEl Econoline 70 | Aquarium Supplies
Would you say that that is suitable for a single axolotl? I am not sure what type of filter is going to come with it, but while cycling the tank I can figure out ways to make the flow reduced.
I plan on using a sand substrate and adding a pipe tunnel and make some caves for it as well as some low light plants.
At the moment, I am not sure which room I'm having in the flat next year but I'll find out in August and can then plan where to put it. The current tenants have some goldfish on a windowsill and I was thinking that perhaps this is suitable if I cover the back, sides and top to prevent too much light getting in?

 

[jhonny]

hello.

i can see you did your research.
that tank you got there IS infact suitable for 2 adult axies, provided you have enough shelters. if you are in any way creative, you can even make those yourselves.
also, most of these "complete" tanks come with a sponge filter mounted in the tank.
water is being sucked in at the bottom, and filtered trough a series of sponges ( colored to make it easy for you to see what needs replacement ) at the top is a larger opening where big debris is sucked in, and sticks onto another spongy filter :happy:
i have the same filter, and it should work just fine.
as long as you disperse the outflow of the filtered water. you can keep this nice and easy by just fixing a piece of tubing, pierced with holes onto the exhaust.
or even more simplistic.. slide a sponge over the exhaust.
it depends on how "professional" you want your tank to look.
one of the major flaws in this filter however, is that it heats up your water in combination with the standard fitted lights.
replacing the lamps, and cooling the water will probably be nescesary.
there are plenty of ways to cool down the water.. just scout the forum for more info about that.
i simply bought a series of 4-computer fan coolers, and mounted them onto the edge of my tank, and sliced a piece of the lid to make it look as if i bought the tank like that.

placing the tank there would add to much heat. keep it out of the sun, and away from heating. it will be challenging enough to keep it cool as it is.
everything else sounds just fine.
anchor your plants.. and all should be fine.

good luck!

 

[Ruthy]

Thanks for your reply
I wouldn't really be using the tank lights much anyway to be honest. Didn't notice it showed which filter there is in the picture for the tank. Are there any other filters I could use that wouldn't heat the tank up too much? I can use eBay to get another filter.
Luckily, I'll be starting this tank up in Winter so won't have to worry too much about the tank heating up during the day. So at least I can get used to the normal maintenance and start on the cooling when I'm more used to the axolotl itself.

Also, if the only place I can put the tank isn't able to fit/hold a 98L, would either of these two also be okay for one axolotl? AquaEl Classic 50 | Aquarium Supplies AquaEl Classic 60 | Aquarium Supplies
For the AquaEI 60 I could probably afford a proper aquarium cabinet for that so will be easier to place the tank somewhere.

 

[Spudss]

Hey Ruthy,

Im currently using 2 sponge filters driven by an air pump in my Axie tank... Might be an option for ya. I got all 3 on ebay for very cheap for years go.

 

[Ruthy]

Thanks Spuds. I haven't set up a sponge filter before so might need a bit of guidance on that