Question: Is my Axie tank setup suitable?

[Brittany]

Alright, so I'm quite new to all of this, but I have purchased two axolotls, Greg and Maisy. They are only about 13cm long, from nose to tail. They are in a tank that is 14inch x 9inch. I am going to get them a larger tank, because I know this one won't last that much longer, but for now I was wondering if they will be alright in it? And I was also wondering if the rocks/pebbles that I have in there are suitable. I got them out of my garden, and I soaked them in tank water for one hour to make them as clean as possible. I used to have gravel in the tank, but I noticed that they were eating it, but spitting most out. So I changed them as soon as I found the rocks.
Please help, cheers :happy:

 

[daremo]

it looks alright, but make sure the log edges aren't sharp

also, I would remove some stones and leave them some clean bottom tank to walk around

and make sure the air pump isn't too high to move the water too much and stress them

I can see the tail of a golden there

 

[morphyrichards]

It's ok to find your own rocks but avoid any which are green coloured, they might contain copper and it could leach into your tank.

Also avoid any kind of sandstone or any rock which seems to be made from a mixture of other different rocks.

Quartz and obsidian rocks are two good choices for in tanks. Oh and don't forget the nothing smaller than your axies head rule.

 

[Brittany]

Thanks for your help guys

 

[carsona246]

boiling the rocks would make sure there was nothing harmful on them. You can always do a vinegar test if your not sure about the rocks leaching substances into your water

 

[Lara11]

Please don't boil rocks as some rock forms explode

 

[Gromky]

Please don't boil rocks as some rock forms explode

It's not a real problem. The only time rocks explode is overly rapid expansion of gas inclusions. Boiling water isn't that hot (unlike throwing rocks on a fire), and the other rocks and water will absorb impacts. Yes, I've been hit by fragments of an exploding rock on a very hot fire...but that's different. You can pour boiling water over rock, and it will sterilize it pretty well...but you won't get anything destructive by boiling rock.