New Axie tank setup

[kjacks]

​

Ok so Im new here and I have been reading a ton of articles and forums on axolotls. Im in the process of transferring my 55g planted invert and betta sorority tank into a axie playground. Its definately some work as I had tons of ramshorns and red cherry shrimp. I removed all the decorative rocks tonight and have been working on the inverts.

I wasnt in a hurry as I was getting them orginally around June but Ill actually be getting 2 of my little guys or gals in the next couple weeks. Im worried about the substrate I have in there.now. As I cant insure I got all the snail shells or babies out Im gonna redo the sand . I used a fine grade of black diamond blasting sand and have saw mixed reviews. It mentioned it being dangerous for consumption due to needle like shards . Mine doesnt appear to have that as I have it in my 125 gallon African Cichlid tank with no problems and they sift sand all day. Would it be ok to use this its literally like the tahitian moon sand ?
My axies this time will be around 5in .. I wanna have a variety of food on hand the only thing local I have though is oetsmart or petco is there anything there I could buy pellet ,frozen, or live ?

 

[Boomsloth]

idk about the sand, but if you live near walmart or any bait shop you can get night crawlers or red wigglers. You'll have to cut them up but I know at walmart its $3 for 18 large night crawlers which isn't too bad. Just make sure to open it up and check out the worms before you buy so that they aren't dead.

 

[HayleyK]

I've read Tahitian mood sand can cause a lot of problems too. Are there no other black sand at pet shops?

The best staple food is earthworms, and pellets (earthworms are still better!) and live is always better! You can use other frozen foods as treats such as bloodworms or blackworms. You can also use quarantined feeder fish and shrimps. It's not necessary to give them treats. Earthworms are fine for their diet.

If the snails are pretty small like the hitchhikers you can get on plants then it's not necessary to remove as axolotls in the wild would eat crustecaens and snails. Hitch hikers usually are small and have a soft shell. Avoid large snails with a hard shell.

 

[kjacks]

The only other black sand I have found is stoney river sand but I cant find it locally and wohld have to order it. Its the same grain as what I have and I cant find it but in 5lb bags and its like $4 a bag which isnt really bad but I would have to pay almost as much for shipping as I would for 6 bags out of the 10 I would need . I absolutely hate play sand or pool filter sand as to me it always looks dirty and it really bothers me to feel like my tank is dirty Im kinda OCD with them :/

I have tons of bloodworms frozen in the freezer now and tubifex worms . Then I have frozen brine shrimp and daphnia for my bettas . With the snails I would prefer not to risk any chance of the axies getting impacted and would like to remove all if possible as the snails can reach nickel sized but the shells are soft . Never thought to check walmart for live food but that is a brillant idea

 

[Elise]

I've read Tahitian mood sand can cause a lot of problems too. Are there no other black sand at pet shops?

Most black sand is just re-branded coal slag. Interestingly, so is the black diamond blasting sand.

 

[HayleyK]

Most black sand is just re-branded coal slag. Interestingly, so is the black diamond blasting sand.

We have quartz sand here in that comes black, beige and white, not coal slag or diamond blasting sand. Aren't there any average sand that's safe to use in aquariums over there?

 

[kjacks]

I found some quartz online but they wanted $40 to ship me 1 50lb bag .. and the bag cost around $25 .. locally all I have is the black diamond blasting sand , play sand , and pool filter sand ...which if play sand is safer Ill just have to suck it up and use it whether I like it or not .. I did find some black and blue sand thats safe online might just spend the extra money and order it . My axies ship monday I gotta get some food and stuff on hand for them..

 

[scorpio110684]

I bought pool filter sand from my local home depot for my axies. I think the bag was only $5. The sand gives it a nice beachy look and they seem very happy on it.