Help me plan my marm setup

[Molch]

So...the marm babes are 10 mo old and 4", fat little slugs. Currently they still live in several large exoterra boxes set up terrestrially w. dirt, moss and cork bark. This is how I raised them, but they'll soon outgrow that setup.

I want to start setting up a permanent tank for them. I have a 36X12" tank available.

Question is: should I go 50/50 water/land? Or all water w. several large islands? Once these guys go in the water, how aquatic are they likely to remain after that? Or will they be aquatic only for breeding and then terrestrial again in summer?

What do other folks do?

 

[FRANCOIS]

Newt!
I would keep them terrestrial, forest set-up. Too early for H2O...
Muhahhaaaa

 

[Molch]

ah, merci grenouille -

but what about when they are all grown up ? How much water should a permanent setup contain?

Or do you all just plunk them in an aquatic setup every spring and then back into a terrestrial one in summer?

grenouille, they are fellow frenchmen of yours after all

 

[evut]

My newts live aquatically (this is the tank). Once in a while someone spends some time on the island during the day but it doesn't happen very often. Being a neurotic and paranoid animal keeper, I prefer to have them in water where I can see them and know how much they eat.

 

[Davo]

I keep mine in a simple aquarium set up, aged water, bunches of elodea and a piece of cork for them to get out of the water.After they have bred they come onto the bark and are then put back in their terrestrial set up.They probably spend 4 or 5 months of the year aquatic. I think this is probably the cycle they would do in the wild, probably less time aquatic than i keep them. I know people keep them aquatic all year and rear juvs aquaticly but i have not tried this.

 

[arise]

I agree with Francois

Now, I suggest to keep them in a set-up terrestrial and put a little tank for water, so the marmoratus could use it also for their “needs”.

My experience is that the marmoratus, although someone keep them aquatic, are terrestrial; they need for water (30/70 terrestrial/water) for about 6 months (from november to april/May).

bye

 

[Bellabelloo]

My guys and gals have a mostly aquatic set up, lots of plants and an island with cover. They spend possibly 3 months on land, dipping into the water as and when they feel like it. I am toying with giving them a more terrestrial set up.

 

[Molch]

thanks all - I think for now I will give them a terrestrial setup as they've had before, but maybe will include a small water section so it's there when they are ready...
will post pics when I have it set up

 

[FRANCOIS]

As far as I know, they only go to the water bodies to breed. 10 months is too young, they are not sexually mature. I have found many of those newts in France and it was in forests, under moss etc...
Molch, for their second and third spring and on, meaning starting next year, I would use a semi aquatic set-up.