Question: New Tank Advice

[Stubbyfly]

Hi all,

My first post on these boards but I've been around and been reading for a good while.
For a long while I have been interested in, and been researching, Axolotls, I am now getting to the stage of wanting to get some of my own.

I am thinking 3 (or 4) different colours for easy identification. All bought at the same time / same age so they can co exist without eating each other.

So, I am looking at tanks and am wanting to get the biggest I can afford / locate in my house.

My question is
Is a tank with dimensions of: 1027 x 477 x 745 mm / 40" x 18.8" x 29" (L x D x H) 250l capacity big enough for 3 (or 4) axies for the duration of their lives?

The next size up I am considering is: 1200 x 477 x 745 mm / 47.2" (4ft) x 18.8" x 29.3" (330l capacity) but this feels significantly larger in all aspects.

I know you can't have too much space but if the small of the two will do the job?
I want to try an avoid having to get a bigger tank later down the line.
If not 3, how many could i house in that tank?

Many thanks in advance for your help.
Cheers

 

[FX1C]

Axies don't really need the depth - it's all about the land mass

I'm fairly new here too & all the advice seems to suggest 1 axie per foot length of tank - so
3ft = 3 adult axies
4ft = 4 adult axies

Be aware buying 4 the same age & size (if juvenile) does not mean they'll grow at the same rate some grow very fast & others take their time... I bought a same sized friend for mine & within 2 weeks the friend was twice the size & is now in a tank on its own (hence I now have 2 axies in 2 tanks! ) so they don't always follow your plan or schedule lol

You can't ask too many questions before you get your axies




<3 >o_o< <3

 

[Stubbyfly]

Axies don't really need the depth - it's all about the land mass

I'm fairly new here too & all the advice seems to suggest 1 axie per foot length of tank - so
3ft = 3 adult axies
4ft = 4 adult axies

Looks like a fairly simple rule and this was sort of the measure i had in mind.

I'm planning on aquascaping the tank quite a bit to allow the axies to use the depth as well as the 'real estate' with different levels etc.

Be aware buying 4 the same age & size (if juvenile) does not mean they'll grow at the same rate some grow very fast & others take their time... I bought a same sized friend for mine & within 2 weeks the friend was twice the size & is now in a tank on its own (hence I now have 2 axies in 2 tanks! ) so they don't always follow your plan or schedule lol
You can't ask too many questions before you get your axies

This is a good point.
I had thought that i could just divide the tank in this situation until the smaller ones caught up.
Is this a viable option?

 

[happycamper]

Also keep in mind that if you end up with a male female combo they can lay a LOT of eggs (mine produced 180 eggs the second time). I had 2 batches within a couple months and it really stressed the female out. Now I have a male in a 55 gallon, female in a 20 long and their "baby" that I couldn't bring myself to re-home in a 29 gallon.

 

[FX1C]

Dividing the tank is possible with a material that allows the water to circulate through (so it's filter flow is undisturbed)... I'm trying to find a stiff plastic trellis with a small square hole that is smaller than the small axies head... Still looking & still can't combine them into my larger tank until I find it my small axie has just about outgrown his nursery tank & I'm getting desperate



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[Stubbyfly]

Also keep in mind that if you end up with a male female combo they can lay a LOT of eggs (mine produced 180 eggs the second time). I had 2 batches within a couple months and it really stressed the female out. Now I have a male in a 55 gallon, female in a 20 long and their "baby" that I couldn't bring myself to re-home in a 29 gallon.

A good point happy camper,

When i come to selecting my new friends i will try and get all female / all male but i know its hard to sex them when they are young.

Would an all male crew or an all female crew be the best way to go...if i can have a choice?

 

[Stubbyfly]

Dividing the tank is possible with a material that allows the water to circulate through (so it's filter flow is undisturbed)... I'm trying to find a stiff plastic trellis with a small square hole that is smaller than the small axies head... Still looking & still can't combine them into my larger tank until I find it my small axie has just about outgrown his nursery tank & I'm getting desperate



<3 >o_o< <3

I guess finding the right material is tough on the one hand strong enough for a 'axie charge' and on the other flexible enough to allow the water flow. Good luck.

 

[Stubbyfly]

I know this is a tough question on an international forum but does anyone have any experience shopping with these guys?

This is one of the tanks i am looking at and it looks to be a cracking deal (price wise) this has me questioning what is wrong with it?

The reviews on the site look good but....... irate:

Any obvious reasons i should avoid (either the company or the tank)?

 

[CJ1981]

I'm unfamiliar with the company but the basic tank looks OK, the price is similar to the going rate in shops by me. You don't need the heater or the 3 bulbs and you may find the filter creates too much flow. If you are ok with not using half the kit it is supplied with and potentially replacing the filter then go for it.

Bear in mind when you put Axies in the tank that if you are landscaping then the stuff you put in will take up space in the tank so you may be better sticking to just the 3 Axies in that tank i.e. a foot per Axie and a foot for the land scaping and hides. You will need at least one hide per Axies so factor that into your measuring.

Good Luck :blob:

 

[CJ1981]

Dividing the tank is possible with a material that allows the water to circulate through (so it's filter flow is undisturbed)... I'm trying to find a stiff plastic trellis with a small square hole that is smaller than the small axies head... Still looking & still can't combine them into my larger tank until I find it my small axie has just about outgrown his nursery tank & I'm getting desperate



<3 >o_o< <3

Have you considered buying a solid plastic sheet then drilling holes through it? You'd need to sand the edges of the holes but you would be in control of their size etc that way.

 

[Kaysie]

Would an all male crew or an all female crew be the best way to go...if i can have a choice?

It doesn't matter either way. Males aren't usually aggressive toward each other.

 

[Stubbyfly]

I'm unfamiliar with the company but the basic tank looks OK, the price is similar to the going rate in shops by me. You don't need the heater or the 3 bulbs and you may find the filter creates too much flow. If you are ok with not using half the kit it is supplied with and potentially replacing the filter then go for it.

Bear in mind when you put Axies in the tank that if you are landscaping then the stuff you put in will take up space in the tank so you may be better sticking to just the 3 Axies in that tank i.e. a foot per Axie and a foot for the land scaping and hides. You will need at least one hide per Axies so factor that into your measuring.

Good Luck :blob:

Cheers CJ,

I realized half the kit would be redundant for axies but at least the lights would be useful in short bursts for live planting.

the filter turns over the tank only 3 times per hour which would suggest a fairly low flow rate? or am i wrong here?

If the flow was too high is my only option to turn it off and get a smaller powered filter? or could i break up the flow with decor / plants somehow?

It doesn't matter either way. Males aren't usually aggressive toward each other.

Cheers Kaysie that was the conclusion i had drawn from my reading.

 

[CJ1981]

I'm not very mechanically minded when it comes to gadgets and things I'm sorry! With my filters I went by the current created by the outflow rather than how many times the tank was cycled. You can put plastic plants or an ornament in front of the outflow to break it up. I have my outflow turned toward the wall of the tank and a tall plastic plant in front of it, my filter is a fluval U2 if you want to compare the spec, it is turned down low with the top outflow just under the surface and on the A setting so the flow only comes out of the top outflow, I have a 3 foot tank. I find having this filter set like this causes the least amount of outflow current and what current there is is only right at the surface where Axies spend the least amount of time.

 

[mkpage0715]

after a lot of advice I actually use a sponge filter with a air filter stone inside it..they actually like the bubbles and not concerned about them at all...I also have a chiller in the tank to make sure the temp stays below 68 since I live in MI and the temps can get pretty warm in the summer and the multiple fans I tried did not keep the temp down enough....with the chiller & sponge filter in the tank, I am able to keep the tank really clear and comfortable for my axies....