I want to get another newt any cage sugggestions

[cam]

Hi everyone,
I would like to buy my second fire belly but have no idea of what way to setup my cage. I have an idea to put in 1/2 a tank of water and a bit of land. Maybe a small fountain or water flow. My budjet is fairly high and can change accordingly.
Pet stores and web sites say I should put in 1/3 to 1/2 a tank of water and a land or island area. They say I can have 3 or 4 newts but I highly doubt that.
Right now I have a 10 gallon tank and have a small filter. There is 3 or 4 inches of water and have a land area that is 5 inches long. 2 plants hang from the back wall and the newt loves it. I have a male but would like to maybe start breeding. Any suggetions

Thanks
Taylor

 

[benjamin]

You don't need that much land at all. Your set up sounds pretty good already. I'ld say that you could keep 2-3 newts in there happilly. When shopping remember to look out for healthy animals.

 

[jennifer]

As Mike suggests, the water depth could certainly be greater than 3-4 inches. The 10 gallon tank is probably enough, although 15/20 gallons would be a nice upgrade if money is no object. Be sure to quarantine the newcomers. If you are getting a larger tank, you could set up the new ones in the large tank, then move the old one over after a month or so (assuming you have no disease problems during that time).

In case you haven't seen it, this page might give you some ideas for setups:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/setups.shtml
Some of the other articles there may also be helpful.

By the way, all this assumes that your "firebelly" is really a firebelly. If it's a warty or paddletail, then the whole story changes! See:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/firebelly.shtml

 

[cam]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the advice I just have two medium sized hanging plastic plants. so alive is better? I don't get how the water change works though. Should I put in a waterfall thing? And last how would you keep the dirt in the pot if I am only allowed to use gravel as a bottom.

Thanks Cam

 

[cam]

Here are some pics. of my cage if it helps.}

 

[cam]

Sorry they din't come with the original e-mail

(Message edited by mike_g on February 05, 2005)

 

[benjamin]

You should give them more underwater shelter and aquatic plants, these are especially important if you wish to breed your animals.