Live Plants

memojo1979

memojo1979

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I'm desperate to make my axie tank more natural, so am trying to find live plants that I like. Would this be suitable? - Micranthemum Micranthemoides Live Aquarium PLANT Large on eBay (end time 06-Mar-11 22:33:29 GMT)
I have messaged the seller, to find out if it is tropical or cold water, but I just wanted to make sure it isn't toxic for axies.
Also, I would presumably need to quarantine it somehow, since it comes from someone else's aquarium, so how long is the recommended time period + what do I need to do? (e.g. - is just putting it in a container + doing water changes fine, and if so, how often should I change the water? Or, does it need to be in a filtered container?)

I'm also going to be looking for a light. I know it's not necessary for the axies particularly, but I've found that they have started responding in a "food?!?!?!" manner when the tank hood is opened, they are more active when the hood is left open + most importantly, I can actually see them without having to be right next to the tank. My tank is away from direct sunlight, making it fairly gloomy, especially in the evenings, so isn't the most pleasing to the eye :( Any recommendations? 1 that'd help the live plants would be cool ;)
 
cool plant. I hope it's suitable, it's pretty!
As for lights, how about something like this?
 
i'm personally not familiar with the plant, but a quick google search said it's fairly fast growing, which usually means its hardier. I'm keeping tropical plants in my axie tank, and they're doing fine. As for quarentine, I'm not entirely sure if you need to quarentine plants, I personally don't quarentine plants but if you're worried you can always dip the plants in a 10% bleach solution and rinse them out in dechlorinated water before you add them to the tank. I just use a regular ten gallon light on my 40 breeder for plants, and it's been working ok. My plants are surviving, but they're not growing as fast as they typically do. I don't think theres any problem in adding a light to an axie tank as long as your axolotl has some shady spots. My light isn't intense enough to really bother my axoltol, as it's less than 1 wpg, but there are plenty of spots in my tank where there is very little light from my tank light.
 
That plant is classed as tropical apparently, but somewhat at the lower part or higher part of coldwater (ccording to the seller - I don't know what the official temperatures are to distinguish between them :p )
They do best in 20-28*C + since my tank does unfortunately hover at the warmer axie-friendly temperature (20*C), it might be worth a try!!! :D

My "fake grass" carpet seems to be okay too - no harder to keep clean than sand, though it did moult quite badly to begin with, despite vigorous cleaning before adding it to the tank. I think I might try the sand again though, as it's pale, so it'll make my wild type easier to see + s/he's got the most personality!
 
That sounds cool! Does it go all the way across your tank? You should post a picture!
 
mareofnight said:
That sounds cool! Does it go all the way across your tank? You should post a picture!
Click to expand...

It's not a live plant - it's the sort of stuff that is used it florists / greengrocer displays, but I had to check with quite a few sellers to find some that would be fine to keep underwater + not going to be dangerous to the axies.
My laptop is poorly at the moment - every time something opens an extra page, my internet disappears :(
Will try to add some current photos after I've fed the dog though ;)
 
Oh!!!
Looks like it's worked! :eek:
 

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Ha Ha! Just noticed Canaq (my wild type) on the photo, but I didn't even notice her when I took the photos!!!
And, despite not using the camera flash, the tank seems a LOT brighter than in reality :confused:
 
Ooh I love that fake grass! What type did you find that was suitable and where would be the best place to get it? We don't really have friendly market stall owners around here that I've noticed :)
 
I got it from eBay, though I really can't remember what I typed into search.
It probably started off as a search for substrate for my corn snakes, as the more decor I add to their vivariums, the harder it's getting to clean them out quickly ;)
I know at 1 point I was considering the grippy mat stuff that you can put on draining boards (maybe the same as the little mats that are for car dashboards, to stop stuff sliding around) :eek:
I'll see if I can find the details for you.

I warn you though - I let it soak in the bath for over a week (except for when we were using the bath, LoL!) to see what would happen + gave it plenty of swirlings around the bath, which is when it moulted quite a lot, but even then it moulted for the 1st 2 weeks in the tank + I had to keep using a baster to suck up the floating tufts before my axies thought they looked tasty! Does seem to have settled down now though + seems quite easy to keep clean - I use a baster to suck up any obvious mess, then swirl it around in the tufts too.
Has the advantage of being able to make holes to thread the bases of plants through (good for axies who like uprooting plants!), but doesn't do well if anything makes a bump under it!
 
Thanks would be great if you can find the details :) if not i'll have a nosey and experiment. I was thinking of cutting holes in it for the plants since there are little track marks next to all mine that keep falling over ;) even if my little miss does look innocent! haha Still not go myself a turkey baster though, really must find one, saw one for £12, thought that was a bit OTT so wandered off lol.
 
ooh thank you will give it a go :)
 
Have you got a Wilkinsons near you?
Turkey basters are less than £1 in there.
If not, I can get 1 for you, if you're willing to cover P+P cost ;)
 
Ooh thanks, yep there is one in town, will pop in tomorrow :)
 
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