Is high flow actually bad for newts/salamanders?

Captive Bread

Captive Bread

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Hi all,

I have been keeping my newts aquatically for nearly a year now. I filter the water using a dual sponge filter, but the thing is not cutting it anymore. The flow is just too darn weak to help keep the water sparkly clean and all the while allows cyano bacteria and algae to grow as it pleases. I would like to upgrade the filter to something motorized with flow. I know that's not the general guidance around here, but is it really that much of an issue for a caudate?
 
Clarity of water is generally a product of regular water changes. Algae is caused by an imbalance between, light, nutrients and nutrient sinks (plants and/or water changes). So a new filter won't fix those issues in the medium term or at all compared to cleaning a sponge filter and just doing large weekly water changes.

That said, my favorite filters for newt tanks are canister filters. I just adjust the flow with ball valves to turn it down.

Is low flow important? Yes, yes it is. If you turn the flow up a bit you will see the newts struggling to swim and you will see all floating stop completely. Plus it can be difficult (depending on your diy abilities) to make a lid that accommodates lily pipes (or whatever) while stopping escapes.

If you want to ditch the sponge filter and make a decent lid, go for it. Just don't expect it to change water conditions.
 
I had some cyanobacteria and algae issues in my aquatic set up for my marbled newts earlier this summer and I decreased the light cycle time from 12 hours to 8 and that pretty much dealt with that (plus scraping the wall and letting the shrimp/snails eat up the rest). Water quality improved shortly after that.

minorhero raised a lot of good points and I agree with their post overall for what to do. Looking at the video of your tank on the triturus forum you have the plants to deal with the bioload of the set up. However more plants are always good as they can absorb nutrients (especially emersed and floating plants). I think less light time would definitely help with water clarity.
 
Captive Bread said:
Hi all,

I have been keeping my newts aquatically for nearly a year now. I filter the water using a dual sponge filter, but the thing is not cutting it anymore. The flow is just too darn weak to help keep the water sparkly clean and all the while allows cyano bacteria and algae to grow as it pleases. I would like to upgrade the filter to something motorized with flow. I know that's not the general guidance around here, but is it really that much of an issue for a caudate?
Click to expand...
Hello. I have a 20 gallon low filled 1/3 full and use the Tetra Repti-flow corner filter
It filters 90 gallon a minute. Great air flow.
Captive Bread said:
Hi all,

I have been keeping my newts aquatically for nearly a year now. I filter the water using a dual sponge filter, but the thing is not cutting it anymore. The flow is just too darn weak to help keep the water sparkly clean and all the while allows cyano bacteria and algae to grow as it pleases. I would like to upgrade the filter to something motorized with flow. I know that's not the general guidance around here, but is it really that much of an issue for a caudate?
Click to expand...
Captive Bread said:
Hi all,

I have been keeping my newts aquatically for nearly a year now. I filter the water using a dual sponge filter, but the thing is not cutting it anymore. The flow is just too darn weak to help keep the water sparkly clean and all the while allows cyano bacteria and algae to grow as it pleases. I would like to upgrade the filter to something motorized with flow. I know that's not the general guidance around here, but is it really that much of an issue for a caudate?
Click to expand...
Hello. I have a 20 gallon long with a Repti-filter in one corner. The filter is perfect for the airflow, waterfall, for my 4 newts and 75 + neo- cardinia shrimp.
 
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