New Setup....What to get?

[Lesueurii2]

Here is a 10 gallon that I recently setup. After reading for almost 2 weeks as to filter ideas, substrate, plants, visuals within the tank, lighting, and cooling methods here is what I decided to setup. Again, it is a 10 gallon filled nearly 3/4 or more full. It has a thin layer of heavily washed play sand with a tiny amount of river rock mixed in. I am currently running a sponge filter on this setup. Clay pots were broken, sanded around the edges to make them smooth, and placed as places to hide underwater. A few other pots had their rims cut off and placed upside down to act as footing for the larger pot placed on top of them. The larger pot has been notched in two places to allow animals to utilize the area within. Up top there is another clay plant holder where washed play sand was added so the animals could haul out of the water if they wish. If the future there will be a piece of cork bark placed on top going down into the water. Water plants used are elodea(anacharis), hornwort, and java moss. In the future there will also be java fern planted. There is a GE plant growth bulb up top along with a small hardware fan that blows on top of the water. The fan achieves two purposes. One, it agitates the water surface and does not allow protein or debris to stand, and two, I achieve a 4-5 degree drop in temp. while using it. Currently the water is 68 deg.
To be completely honest, I do not know what to put into the setup. It still needs a few more weeks worth of cycling to be completely ready for anything. I just finished a seeding of ammonia(frozen brine shrimp) to the tank.
I am currently deciding between Cynops Cyanuras and another Cynops species. Cyanuras is really intriguing, so maybe 3 or so of these. Of course recommendations are always appreciated. This setup will be upgraded to a 20 gallon within a year or two. Hope you like the setup.
Anthony

 

[cichlidjedi]

Anthony
Nice Set-up I would say species in a 10 gallon, cynops or possibly Notophthalmus as well. I currently keep a group of three Cynops pyrrhogaster in a 10 gallon and two groups of Notophthalmus viridescensin in two-5 1/2 gallon aquariums. Wonderful set-up and may the species you pick breed well for you.

Chuck

 

[Lesueurii2]

Hey, thanks for the positive feedback....I have until early September to decide what to do. That is about when the tank should be completely finished cycling. I'm a fish guy from way back, so if I set up anything with water I usually let it set for some time before adding anything to it.
Anthony

 

[xMIDNIGHTx]

Good for you to get setup (well setup btw) done before even picking your newts. Their are many newts that you can get and your heading in the right direction. Cynops are a great genius to get started with and you will enjoy them. It is really up to you on what species to get, each one is alittle different in behavior, color, and size. I can only talk from experience on one species and that is the one you named, cyanurus. They are easy to get captive bred, they accept many types of food, can thrive in higher temps (which you seem to have under control), and are easy to care for. I have raised several from eggs to where they are very close to becoming sexual mature. They have been wonderful little guys and definitely one of my favorites. Breeding them seems to be quite straight forward (no extreme temp drops) which is an added plus. They are relatively small so three would be more than happy with your setup. C. cyanurus are very aquatic will not leave the water much at all.

Any additional information on Cynops and more can be found here.
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Salamandridae.shtml

Good luck!

Mitch

 

[oregon newt]

Nice set-up. I'm liking the fan...

 

[Lesueurii2]

The fan idea came from a member of the forum....really glad you dig it!
A