Need Experienced Opinions for my Future Axolotl Tank

[MaggieR]

I have done some pretty intensive research, but I am started to get my tank set up so I can order some of my very first axolotls!!

What plants have you kept (I know they like to dig them up)?

What would you recommend, I have a 20 gallon and a 29 gallon.. I believe I would like to have three eventually & my 29 is already up and running.

What fish have you been able to have along with these guys? I know most do not recommend it, but I have seen plenty of pictures where some have tank mates.

For cooling... I am a college student, cannot afford a chiller. What type of cooling fan system do you recommend?

Thanks so Much!!!

 

[Kaini]

I'm going to be with 'most' and not recommend keeping fish with your Axolotls. The lotl is likely to eat them or snap at them, and the fish can nibble at the Axolotl's gills and damage them. I personally wouldn't keep anything but Axolotls with my Axolotls. There are just too many things that can go wrong with tankmates and it's not healthy for any of them.

As with plants, yes lotls like to destroy plants and since plants need a lot of light and Axolotl's DON'T (they have very sensitive eyes) it's generally difficult to keep live plants with your Axolotls. I have moss balls in my tank however, as they require very little light and no extra care, and my lotl generally ignores them.


I'm also a college student and certainly can't afford a chiller - I found a nice little aquarium fan on amazon by Zoo Med that does the job - so far it's been quiet, and it attaches to the side of the tank so there's no risk of falling in and electrocuting your lotl. For a bigger tank I might get more than one (my tank is ten gallons, and the little fan lowers the temp by about 4 degrees).

 

[auntiejude]

1. NO FISH. PERIOD.
2. Plastic plants last longest.
3. 29 gallons is not big enough for 3.
4. Best cooling is achieved by a chiller - essential if you regularly get summer temps in the high 20s. Fans and ice bottles can work otherwise.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

I have done some pretty intensive research, but I am started to get my tank set up so I can order some of my very first axolotls!!

What plants have you kept (I know they like to dig them up)?

What would you recommend, I have a 20 gallon and a 29 gallon.. I believe I would like to have three eventually & my 29 is already up and running.

What fish have you been able to have along with these guys? I know most do not recommend it, but I have seen plenty of pictures where some have tank mates.

For cooling... I am a college student, cannot afford a chiller. What type of cooling fan system do you recommend?

Thanks so Much!!!

There's lots of different varieties of low light plants that you could put in your tank; if your axie digs them up you can always put your plants in little pots. Anubias are a good place to start.

If you want three, then a 29 gallon would be very much so pushing it. Axolotls have a much higher bioload than fish, so they need more space. Not to mention that they need at least 1 foot of length to themselves, because they walk on the bottom of the tank. It's better to give more love to two babies than stretch it with three!

Fish and axies just don't get along. Little fish tanks aren't hard to set up, and it'll keep everyone safe. The best thing you could do to have tankmates would be to have a large tank with a divider, because it really just isn't worth it to put the animals under stress. Like mentioned earlier, axies eat fish, fish try to eat axie gills. Feeder fish are OK, and so are little shrimp, just don't expect them to last long. Some people like snails in their tanks, but many fear the risk of impaction and don't want their axolotls swallowing them. I'm one of the people that does, and when I get my babies here soon I won't take the risk. If you DO choose to get a snail, please research it extensively so that you know everything about what snail is suitable and all the risks involved.

For cooling the post below yours actually had a pretty decent idea.
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...bstrate/95355-how-cool-your-axolotl-tank.html


Good luck with your 'lotls, I hope everything works out just how it should!

 

[Kaysie]

A 29 gallon isn't suitable for 3 because of it's footprint. Axolotls don't spend a lot of time in the water column, but instead wander around on the bottom. The general rule of thumb is 1 foot of tank length per axolotl, as Zerrin mentioned.

Skip the fish. If you really desperately want tank mates, go with invertebrates like shrimp.

You live in Indiana, you won't need a chiller. In the few weeks a year that it's ridiculously hot, you may consider fridging or other cooling methods, but the amount of time per year you'd need the chiller doesn't justify it's cost.