My tank

[Gizmothefreaky]

I finally got around to decorating my tank! It's still in progress, but looks good so far, at least i think so. Lol

Let me know what you think.

The plant I have in there is corkscrew val.

First pic is the whole tank, second is Japanese trapdoor snail yoga, and third is Speck hanging out on one of the perches. Lol

 

[FX1C]

Looks good - I would make sure all those hides have a tunnel like 2 exits otherwise they may still feel cornered.

Personally I wouldn't have a large snail with axolotls as there's a risk they can eat the snail or be trapped in the trap door.

In my personal opinion it's best to eliminate risks before they cause a problem.



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[Gizmothefreaky]

Well considering the snails are both bigger than my ten inch male's head, (you can see it in the corner of the tank in the first pic.) don't see any issue with them, and as far as getting stuck in the trapdoor, this breed of snail spends most of its time shut up in its shell anyway. Lol no worries.

 

[auntiejude]

The problem doesn't come from axies eating the snail, it's the snail's instinct to shut up tight that is. Trapdoor snails sometimes trap axie limbs, tail, snout etc. when they shut their trapdoor.

And believe me when I say an axie's mouth opens way bigger than you think it does - they can get a large snail or rock in their mouth and get it stuck.

I wouldn't keep a snail like that with axies - the risk is too great. If you're willing to take the risk thats your choice.

 

[Gizmothefreaky]

Seriously, the snail is twice the size of my big male's head, and in the almost two years I've had lotls and Japanese trapdoors, neither have even shown any interest in the existence of the other. Really 90% of the time the snail stays shut up tight, sometimes for more than a week, to the point I am pulling the snail out and poking it to check if it's died. Believe me when I say JTDs are probably the safest snail to have with the lotl... Most of the time it's little more than a strangely shaped rock anyway.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

On a glance, I'm also nervous about the snail. You may not see them interact, but the axies are more active at night when people usually aren't. Your choice though, I personally think the snail looks like a bad idea.

 

[Gizmothefreaky]

Oh lord, really? This is getting ridiculous! The snails and the lotls do not interact, and this was not started as a thread asking about the BLASTED SNAIL! I started this thread to show off the tank. If I wanted your opinion about the snail, then I would ask for it. I am not a novice, I DO know what I am doing, and I know that the axies and snails are no harm to eachother. For the love of god, drop it already, I am tired of hearing it!

Honestly... it's enough to drive a person nuts... please. If I could edit the first post I would... or better yet, delete the whole thing entirely.

And I happen to know, I am not the only one that keeps Japanese trapdoor snails with their axolotls.

I'm done here...

 

[auntiejude]

Stop being rude - you aksed for opinions and comlpain when you don't like the answers.

Conventional wisdom says there is risk with axies and snails. Take the advice or don't, as I said before it's your risk and your choice.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

Oh lord, really? This is getting ridiculous! The snails and the lotls do not interact, and this was not started as a thread asking about the BLASTED SNAIL! I started this thread to show off the tank. If I wanted your opinion about the snail, then I would ask for it. I am not a novice, I DO know what I am doing, and I know that the axies and snails are no harm to eachother. For the love of god, drop it already, I am tired of hearing it!

You ask for the opinions of others, and then become belligerent when it is an answer you do not want to hear. This.will be my last reply on the subject.

Gold fish and axolotls should not share the same tank, divided or not. Gold fish are nasty and carry all sorts or parasites that may not harm them, but will likely harm your lotl. It is simply a bad idea to keep them together in that amount of water...

Just my two cents and sound advice. I would give the 40 top the fish and keep the lotl where she is. Then everyone will be happy.

So let me get this straight...you're not being belligerent? Practice what you preach, no one was being mean.

 

[Gizmothefreaky]

I do believe that the thread is about the TANK , not the snail. I never asked for an opinion on the ****ing snail. I would be less passed if everyone did not say the same thing. I responded to the posts nicely the first two times, honestly if you guys didn't get the point the first two times I don't know what to tell you.

Okay, here, let's try being nice...

I'm sorry everyone, some of us have very hectic lives, and I thought I was posting to maybe have some polite conversations with other enthusiasts... Instead I was berated with 'you are doing it wrong', and 'if you don't do as I say your pets will surely attempt to eat the snail and die'... funny I have had the snails in with my axolotls for two years, and have never once witnessed the axolotls pay even the slightest bit of attention to the snails in all that time.

So you tell me, are you, people that have merely read up on a subject that is typically about smaller breeds of snail (ie. Mystery snails), right? Or am I right? Someone who knows the habits and behaviors of the animals she lives with every single day for the past two years?
Yes, some of you believe I may be taking a risk, and if any of the lotls ever gets stupid enough to try and eat the snail, well that's Darwin at work for you. Cruel? No...nature. you don't think there are big snails in mexico? You don't think that some axolotls try to eat these snails and then choke to death? I don't believe in creating a sterile environment for the animals, if I wanted that I would keep each one in a bare bottomed ten gallon tank by themselves for their whole life.

So yes, I hear you, and I think I have a right to say here that I know my animals better than you do. Now PLEASE, can we just drop the ****ing attack on my damn snails?

I started this thread to show off the tank, and after this broken record of a conversation string, I am tempted to disable my account completely, because this is just ridiculous.

Now, have a nice day, leave whatever Nasty comments or finger wagging you want, I'm done, I'm tired, and I am leaving.

If you want to have a rational conversation with me, you can IM me, otherwise I will no longer be responding to threads until further notice.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

People are saying things because they're concerned, not to "attack".

You don't sound sorry, so please don't say you are. You sound like you're angry and are trying to still justify what you think in an inappropriate way. Everyone has hectic lives; that doesn't mean we take it out on you.

There is a difference between caring for you axolotl poorly, keeping it in a totally sterile environment, and avoiding possible harm. Saying if by whatever chance your lotl does swallow a snail then "oh well that's nature", means that you accept it as a possibility. Lolts aren't smart, you are.

My opinions on the tank? I think it looks a little small for all the axies in it, and the pots are a little rough looking (did you make sure all edges were smooth?), and I wouldn't personally keep that many feeders in with my lotls. Other than that, not too bad.

If you're tired of arguing with people, just see things from their point of view, respect it, move on. I'm not being outwardly rude, I'm being civil. No one is attacking, we're just trying to help. If you don't want our help, then by all means, avoid posting in the forums and research on your own. I'm telling you now though, you won't find better help than what's offered here.

So, if you want to be responsible and respond like an adult, we're listening. If not, we'll see you around.

 

[sde]

Stop being rude - you aksed for opinions and comlpain when you don't like the answers.
I agree, you were also the one who called out Elli on this.
Conventional wisdom says there is risk with axies and snails. Take the advice or don't, as I said before it's your risk and your choice.

I wouldn't necessarily say that ALL snails are dangerous to axis. But you are probably right, that is conventional wisdom.

Seriously, the snail is twice the size of my big male's head, and in the almost two years I've had lotls and Japanese trapdoors, neither have even shown any interest in the existence of the other. Really 90% of the time the snail stays shut up tight, sometimes for more than a week, to the point I am pulling the snail out and poking it to check if it's died. Believe me when I say JTDs are probably the safest snail to have with the lotl... Most of the time it's little more than a strangely shaped rock anyway.

Um, the safest? They don't sound the safest to me. It sounds like they could harm a axis pretty bad, there are definitely safer ones. Like the ones in my newt tank, they are small and are virtually harmless I am sure.

Now, I think we should all stop giving her a bad time, we have clearly stated our point now. It is her decision if she keeps it, and we should try and respect that decision, even if we don't agree with it.

Aside from the snail I think the tank looks good, well done Gizmothefreaky. It looks like you have some happy healthy axis there, congrats! :happy: -Seth

 

[Gizmothefreaky]

I was not being rude because I don't like the answer... I was being rude because that is the only thing people were commenting on! The snail isn't even the topic of the dang thread, but no, everyone has to harp on the blasted snail. I keep them, others on this forum keep them as well, it is none of your business weather I keep the snails or not.

I will only say this one more time, this thread was started to show my tank, not to talk about the stupid freaking snail. I am so done here. I thought this forum was a nice place to be, but it's clearly not.

 

[HayleyK]

I will only say this one more time, this thread was started to show my tank, not to talk about the stupid freaking snail. I am so done here. I thought this forum was a nice place to be, but it's clearly not.

Yes, snails can cause damage to axolotls and yes they can also live without bothering them but most people are generally looking out for the well being of the axolotl, not putting you or your tank down and most people will point out general safety hazards in a tank before addressing anything else. Yes, this thread was about your tank, but you did upload a picture of JUST the snail so it was bound to be mentioned.

Nice tank though, maybe some more plants? My ones love to hang in the plants

 

[Gizmothefreaky]

Mentioned, I can handle... This thread may as well be titled 'hey look I have a deadly killer snail in with my axolotls!!!!!11!!!one!'... =_=;


Anyway, yes I am working on getting more plants, that is just one pot's worth...what is a good for ground plant that likes cold water and is sturdy enough to withstand clumsy lotls?

 

[Jen10s]

Nice tank, love their little houses, looks nice & roomy. I too am looking for a good ground cover that grows well in sand - I'll be following to see what's recommended.

In relation to the other issue, I think you are being a little defensive, other members are just concerned for your Axies health, take it on board and if you decide you're right - let it go.

You should read this first though # 36 I think:

Caudata Culture Articles - Species Mixing Disasters

Then make your decision :happy:

 

[HayleyK]

I'm still figuring out what works and what doesn't. I've found that thicker stemmed plants with broader leaves do well. I don't know their names but one of them have a very deep purple underneath the green leaves, and a dark green leaf plant with speckles of white on the leaves. They seem to hold well in sand as well as lotl movement and hammock-ing

The sword plants also do well in my tank as well as the long grass that's really stiff. (Sorry for my lack of plant-name knowledge. Hopefully you will notice my descriptions in your LFS)

 

[HayleyK]

Pretty much everything in this tank besides the cambomba (the nice fluffy looking plants) did well in my tank. The cambomba is nice but it's very flimsy and got torn up a lot. I also have really short grass planted all over the tank which I like the effect of. I have a clump of about ten. Always funny to catch him staring at me through his shrubs.

 

[Gizmothefreaky]

There... I feel better now that I've found the ignore user list.. anyway!

Yes, I know, I've read that story... but my point is, the breed of snail I have is not an apple snail, it's a Japanese trapdoor snail. These guys spend 90% of their time shut down like fort knox, and the other ten percent very slowly scooting around the tank. I have picked these boogers up and poked their feet and they still only half pull themselves in, and slowly at that... I have no fears of the snails snapping shut on the lotls heads/feet/tails what have you... and I am most certainly not worried about an axolotl trying to eat them... I'm pretty sure they see the snails as being rocks or something. Lol

I have no idea what any of those plants are... lol! I'll try to remember to ask my plant guy next time I go into the store.. ^_^;;

 

[layna]

Anubias, elodea, marimo moss balls, hornwort, java moss, water lettuce ermm thats all i can think of atm

Ill have a look...here;
Anubias Nana
Anubias Isabelle
Anubias Barteri
Java Fern
Java Moss
Lilaeopsis
Eleocharis (Hairgrass)
Congensis
Riccia
Narrow Chain Sword

Have you thought about maybe stacking some of the pots on top of each other so they can float up and hide in them?
Or adding some mopani wood? It leeches tannins into the water to help their slime coat