I'm getting an axolotl, in a week or two, how do you personally set up your tanks?

[Umarth]

I already have the bare necessities for my axy, but i wondered what you add to make your axolotls happy, and enrich their lives. Ta for your ideas!



P.S i'm sorry if something similar has already been posted, i'm new to the forums

 

[Skilly]

I have sand as substrate, cool plastic plants (easy to clean) and floating plants, a log against the glass for my critter to swim under and whatnot and a hollow hidey log for him too. Oh and a glass frog lol.

Axies love to hide in plants and just sit there suspended. So get some good plants that they can do this in. Hides are a must and tunnels are also a great idea. You can get cheap tunnels by using pluming pvc pipes.

 

[dragonlady]

Hi and congratulations! That's so great that you are planning ahead. How much you do depends on how big your tank is, how many axies you have planned (don't know how anybody stops at one - lol), and of course, your personal budget. Don't be sorry for asking, we all love talking axies, that's why we're here!

There are so many beautiful setups out here that can give you all kinds of ideas! Just look under the Gallery, there are a lot there for starters. Here's another spot: Caudata Culture Articles - Setups, Aquatic

I use the pvc that Skilly mentions in all 3 of my tanks along with sand and artificial plants. My tanks are in my photo albums if you want to take a look at my profile page. Nothing fancy or elaborate, but hey, the inhabitants aren't complaining so must be doing something right! lol

Best of luck to you and ask away, everybody is here to help and to learn!

 

[Umarth]

I've got a 2ft tank (i don't know the volume unfortunately) i plan on getting one, and upgrade the tank as he/she grows, i'll of course be getting another but i'll think more on tank-mates later. As for budget, not too limited (just no gold-plated hides for my axis ) For a hide, would a plant-pot be ok?

 

[dragonlady]

2ft is actually big enough for one, but he/she will not object if you want to provide more room! A flower pot is fine, I tried it in my big tank but I didn't like the way it set as it was a whole pot on its side. I think it would have been better if I could have had it cut in half. Pretty much anything that provides them cover from any overhead lights or to do the obvious - hide.

Love to see everything once you have it together. Do you know what color axie you are getting?

 

[Umarth]

Probably Leucistic, they're my favourite

 

[dragonlady]

Those are cool. I especially like the ones who look like they have dirty faces!

 

[Umarth]

The freckly ones, they're adorable
I was thinking of breeding some feeder shrimp/prawn, if i did it in the same tank as him, so he could have a nibble on one when he wants, would that be ok? I've read about feeder fish nibbling on axolotl's lovely gills, but surely a shrimp wouldn't be able to, nor would he be fast enough to chase him? Or would it be safer to just breed them in a separate tank?

 

[dragonlady]

There are some great freckled ones out here!

Shrimp should be a treat and if you want to breed them, definitely in a separate tank. While shrimp may not attack him/her, they are not a good staple food and anything you choose to add needs to be quarantined for 30 days in case of disease. There are several who keep tank mates with their axolotls and there are more who will tell you not to mix species.

The best staple food: earthworms or European nightcrawlers. You can get these at a bait shop or dig them up yourself if you know you are digging in a chemical free (no pesticides, fertilizers, etc) area like your own garden.

 

[Umarth]

I already ordered some earthworms from a special breeding place, so i can make a breeding colony of them, but i don't know how old/how my my axy will be when i get him, brine shrimps (the tiny ones i think they're called brine shrimps) are very hard to find in shops, and the majority of websites were out of stock . Bloodworms on the other hand are easy to get, just leave a tub of water out for a few days to a week, i used to do it when i had fish, but are bloodworms suitable for baby axolotl? (they defiantly won't be hatchings)

 

[dragonlady]

Good for you, planning ahead! You've been doing your research.

Juveniles can eat frozen bloodworms, blackworms, and cut up earthworm. I also use a sinking salmon pellet by Rangen but don't know right off hand where to tell you to get them. If you use these pellets as a supplement, be aware that they can cloud your water if kept in too long.

Brine shrimp typically get fed during the first two weeks after hatching, then chopped bloodworms until they can take whole bloodworms. If yours is at least 2" long, you won't have to chop them.

Juveniles should be fed every day while adults can be fed every other to every 2 days. How much? What they can consume in 15 min. After this time, any uneaten food should be removed.

 

[Umarth]

Well, if i rushed into this, my axolotl would probably not get the treatment it needs/deserves
I think I've enough info about the tank and feeding now all that's needed now is the axolotl, it should arrive at the pet shop within in the next two weeks, but i'm almost certain that there will be some delay :s, ta for all your help

 

[tomkeogh]

Hey, I agree plastic of live plants are a must I have three and they all like to 'hang' out in very odd positions! I also agree PVC piping is a great hide I have decided any more tanks I set up will use PVC hides they are so much cheaper then aquarium ornaments, stand out really well against sand. I would also think about a air stone, apparently some Axolotl do not like airstones but my baby likes to swim up the bubbles, my leucistic likes to eat the bubbles and my albino rests her tail on the bubbles.

I am glad you are planning so well, I wish I did the same...

Good luck.

 

[Guppidy]

I use sand as substrate becuase if they happen to swallow some, it doesn't block their poop ways. They NEED something to walk on. I see many people use no substrate at all but actually, axolotls hate it to walk on glass where they get no grip whatsoever.
Also, they need some place to hide, preferably one that they do feel safe in, but that doesn't hide them from you. Mine went and hid in the filter compartment until I made it unaccessible. It was soooooo frustrating!
Plants and moss balls are also always a good idea. They do sometimes uproot or destroy them, but they appreciate a good bit of genuine greenery
The foreground should be free of any big items, so that they can walk without obstacles. In order to save space, you should get an external filter, also avoid anything that causes a strong current. Add some guppys