Just dropping in

[AxolRose]

You know, these things are quite the worrysome handful. In a good way. I guess it is that axolotl charm.

My two Axies are doing quite well. They have (unfortunately) learned that when my big head is floating above the water, it is feeding time, and the only method acceptable in this upper class household is hand feeding of freeze dried shrimp. I found the most ingenious thing, a suction cup floating feeding ring, that keeps messy floating foods from wandering about the tank. Just got in freeze dried bloodworms, although the dried .000001 ounce worms didn't fare too well in the path of the fan above my tank. Let's just say my Axies got a gruesome ticker tape parade in their honor.

Their permanent residence, the 30 Gallon Mansion, is under remodeling, with a new Eheim Ecco 2332 just installed. The water is an uncomfortable 4.0 ppm ammonia, and starting the cycle well. I hear raw meat works well, but I used fish flakes instead, as I would have named the meat. I used the carbon filter right off the bat, wasn't sure if that would upset any potential bacterial guests.

My two aristocrats seem to be enjoying their temporary condo, with water changings daily or every other day, depending on my mood. Minimalist, yes, but they think that less is more, and I oblige. (And it is easier to clean.)

No signs of stress, although I feel bad that I have to occasionally transfer them via Lear Net to a small container while I clean.

Been reading about slate/ sand and other substrate. Considering sand, although from what I read, play sand is the best. Anyone else got an opinion? I read somewhere Estes Hobby sand (wanted black, one of them mumbled something about white is harder to clean) but then I read it causes color change in the water. Is this short term?

Getting ready to move them in soon as it's ready. Slate for some simple (smoothed) caves, and a some fake plastic trees for them to try to eat like everything else.

Any advice appreciated. Sorry for the ramble, I think my keyboard is broken.

S

 

[Bellabelloo]

I really enjoyed reading this post...had a chuckle or two along the way. If you are going to use sand I'd go for the play sand ( or pool filter sand ...no idea exactly what this is though as our pools tend to be paddling pools) and make sure its really well rinsed. If it isn't you'll have tiny particles of stuff floating around. I am personally giving up on sand as my two would clear paths down to the glass, and since Maude spawned I keep finding more eggs stuck in the stuff.

 

[Frog]

Been there

I have just been there myself . I tryed the play sand and washed and washed and washed again ... And still washed , the play sand that I got was very fine and moving my hand though it would make it swirl like crazy I knew having it in the tank would not work if I wanted to watch my babies . In the end I went to a pet shop got aquarium sand for fresh water 50 lbs for $19 and it doesn't swirl like the play sand did . You can get it in different colors but I chose natural .

 

[AxolRose]

Thanks for the advice! I am gonna try our local pet shop, although it appears they are in the process of converting to a boutique or something, as the choice of pet supplies could be described as dismal at best.

 

[Bellabelloo]

Typical..I went to the aquatic shop today to get a second stone house thing and some more weed and they didn't have either...but loads and loads of different coloured sand/ fine gravel.

 

[Frog]

a little more info

You might have to check a few stores I went to some bigger pet stores (names withheld) but you see their adds on TV thinking I could get a better deal price wise and found out that no a small pet shop had actually what I wanted for a heck of a lot less the bigger shops wanted about $25 for a 10 lb bag . Make some calls before you run around looking . Happy hunting .

 

[BFX]

Is Sand considered better than stone? (provided of course, that the stone is big enough to be considered unedible).

Or would say, a slate tile bottom be a good use? (Easier to clean certainly)

 

[Bellabelloo]

If the slate tiles are well sealed to the bottom of the tank I would think that would be fine, putting them down unsealed would allow axy/food waste to accumulate underneath.

 

[BFX]

And slate tiles would make a full clean much easier i would think, as getting sand/gravel/stone out of a tank is a bit cumbersome. I may have to try that. Aqauatic Silicon may be just the job.

 

[Kaysie]

When sand is used as a substrate, it's vacuumed with a siphon when it's cleaned. It isn't removed. Using slate tiles as a bottom will allow food and waste to fall through the cracks, as Bellabelloo already stated. Also, if the slate has any sort of sharp edges, they may cut axolotls. And if they shift, they may trap axolotl limbs between them.

 

[Jennewt]

I have a tank where I used aquarium sealant to attach slate squares to the bottom. It is now a nice tank, but I will warn anyone thinking of doing this... it took over 3 weeks for the silicone sealant to fully cure (stop smelling like vinegar). The sealant down under the slate doesn't have access to air, so curing is a very very slow process.

 

[ianclick]

Here I go again the lone advocate for no substrate.

I have had gravel and sand and glacial river pebbles 6-10cms and now nothing.

Nothing wins hands down. I have three slate caves and a large quartz/amethyst rock and a hollow tree stump and heaps of plants so visually you dont notice the absence of substrate.

More importantly my axies don't have any movement difficulties as occaisionally detailed by other keepers.

Its biggest virtue is ease of cleaning. If you have ever seen rocks and pebbles from Glacial streams they tend to be polished and very smooth from the natural action of the glacier so I figure glass wont cause an issue.

The best advice I got was to think about what sort of setup I was creating I choose to try and replicate an axies natural environment. To this end I have used plants and rocks that they would find in their natural habitat.

When I get a Melaniod and Golden Albino I will look at the coloured pool filter sand idea again and keep them as a display. But all things subject to change.

Good Luck

 

[Bellabelloo]

Psssst...I prefer no substrate too, the only 'sand' i have is now mainly in the plant pots to secure the plants, the rest is gently disappearing via the syphon.

 

[ianclick]

Hi bellabelloo,

Yay, not the lone advocate. I know visually sand and all can add heaps, but wait you also get the chance of gravel/pebble impaction and a great trap for food and axie waste.

Im not sure whether its a busy life style or inherant laziness but the ease of cleaning is the winning factor as far as I am concerned