New setup plan

[kcoscia]

The petco dollar per gallon sale is coming up next week in my area, so I've decided to branch out of the planted fish/invertebrate worlds and into the axolotl world!

After much research (which is still continuing) I've worked up a plan.
Since I'm new, I would love thoughts and critiques.

Tank: 20g Long
Filter: Zoomed Turtle Clean 501 canister filter for up to 30g
No heat and no need for cooling YET - suggestions for summer months?

Left or right fourth of tank:
Anubias and java fern plants with a 9-14w CFL for lighting
peacock moss scattered about, plenty of floaters

Plenty of hides will be used. I'm considering the idea of multilevel stone structures (slate?)

Substrate will be caribsea super naturals sand (The softest sand I've ever felt, ever.)

Overall, to start with, I'm planning on housing 1 wild type axolotl. I will be completing a full fishless cycle, so I'm not planning on getting my critter until that is done. I'm in no rush.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Kaini]

As I said on tumblr, it all sounds good! (I have that sand in all my tanks btw and I love it) I'm making a structure out of slate myself here pretty soon so I'll probably post the results.

OH just remember not the feed the little guy on the sand so he doesn't suck it up. Perhaps a feeding dish should be added to the list? or a feeding jar?

 

[kcoscia]

Hello friend!
Thanks I'm planning on hand feeding (tweezer feeding) Do you still suggest an area?

 

[Elliriyanna]

I do not recommend the lighting. I recommend just getting plants that do well in very low lighting.

what do you need help with as far as tong feeding?

I do love that sand I have it in two of my tanks Oddly enough each color has a different grain size so just keep that in mind

 

[Kaini]

Hello friend!
Thanks I'm planning on hand feeding (tweezer feeding) Do you still suggest an area?

Yea, I would get a little dish to do that on; Axies eat like little vacuums, they suck up anything nearby XD

Since I'm switching my tank from bare bottom to sand, I bought one of those exo-terra reptile dishes.

 

[kcoscia]

Those plants are very low light, so they may survive without supplementation. I'm trying to make the light I'm planning as direct on the plants as possible, only on for 6 hours, as low wattage as possible (9w) and the low end of the plant spectrum brightness (5000K). With that and lots of hides, can I still do it?

Kaini-- good idea! I use small glass candle holders for my messy little shrimp, so maybe I could use a wide pillar candle glass base? I like the clarity of glass.

 

[Kaini]

glass is fine, I've seen people use glass feeding dishes before. :>

 

[Boomsloth]

Axolotls are like clumsy toddlers. If they can hurt themselves on it, they will. Just avoid sharp edges and anything they can get their feet, tail etc caught in.

 

[kcoscia]

Okay! I can't wait for my little clumsy toddler!

Sent from my VS840 4G using Tapatalk

 

[ladygodiva35]

The petco dollar per gallon sale is coming up next week in my area, so I've decided to branch out of the planted fish/invertebrate worlds and into the axolotl world!

Don't you just love the Petco dollar per gallon sale?! I got my 20 gallon long axie tank thanks to that sale.

 

[kcoscia]

The best! Saves a lot of money to put into other important things!

Sent from my VS840 4G using Tapatalk

 

[Smoxolotl]

"No heat and no need for cooling YET - suggestions for summer months?

Left or right fourth of tank:
Anubias and java fern plants with a 9-14w CFL for lighting
peacock moss scattered about, plenty of floaters"

As far as summer goes, Air Conditioning, and keep out of sunlight. Small clip on fan if necessary.. Elodea makes a great floater and/or rooted plant. My Amazon Sword is thriving in almost no direct light per day, so I strongly recommend those. Tried the reptile dish but mine kept floating. I just picked up some shallow soy sauce dishes from the thrift store. Only problem sofar is that the bigger worms can easily get out of them. My axis are usually waiting or in the dish anyway so its not really an issue!

 

[kcoscia]

"No heat and no need for cooling YET - suggestions for summer months?

Left or right fourth of tank:
Anubias and java fern plants with a 9-14w CFL for lighting
peacock moss scattered about, plenty of floaters"

As far as summer goes, Air Conditioning, and keep out of sunlight. Small clip on fan if necessary.. Elodea makes a great floater and/or rooted plant. My Amazon Sword is thriving in almost no direct light per day, so I strongly recommend those. Tried the reptile dish but mine kept floating. I just picked up some shallow soy sauce dishes from the thrift store. Only problem sofar is that the bigger worms can easily get out of them. My axis are usually waiting or in the dish anyway so its not really an issue!

Sounds good! I have A/C so maybe I will be okay. I'm prepared to make changes promptly if not.

I grow elodea in my planted fish tanks so I can totally throw it in. Amazon sword worries me as it gets SO big.

 

[SkollSunChaser]

Those plants are very low light, so they may survive without supplementation. I'm trying to make the light I'm planning as direct on the plants as possible, only on for 6 hours, as low wattage as possible (9w) and the low end of the plant spectrum brightness (5000K). With that and lots of hides, can I still do it?

I would say yes. If they have plenty of places to hide, then they won't be too worried about it. Plus if you have it on that long then I can't imagine it being a bad thing. You could always get good light blocking plants if you're too worried about it.

 

[kcoscia]

Up and running!

Cycling currently. I'm going to try to have plants with no extra lighting and see how it goes.

 

[Kaini]

Whispers more hides

Also how is that canister working out for you so far? I'm kinda tempted to get one. How easy was it to set up?

 

[kcoscia]

curing as we speak!

So far so good. I really love it on my 10g planted. It ripples the water but it doesn't seem to strong.
Super easy to set up! And despite what people say, I find it very easy to clean. I've had my other for a few months now.

 

[Kaini]

Awwww it's going to be so cute when they outgrow that though. MOM WHY CAN'T I FIT IN HERE ANYMORE

Zion does that with the space behind the sponge filter. He used to be able to get in there and he's REALLY CONFUSED as to why he no longer fits. Baby you're big now.



Mmmm I think I need this filter hngggg.

 

[kcoscia]

It's 2" diameter and 7.5" long so I'm hoping they fit for a while! It was easy to make, so maybe I can get wider ones when they get older.
(I'm so excited for my new little pumpkin!)