New Tank, New Ideas

[jAfFa CaKe]

So yesterday I got a 120l tank for my 2 Axies ( leucistic and a wild type), the bottom substrate is sand and there are about six tiny plants living in the tank. I have put a piece of wood that I got from the pet shop a few months ago in and my Axies seem to like it. I wanna put a few hides maybe some java moss or something like that. I like the setup on axolotl.org (if you go into housing and look at the advanced tank) as it also matches with the background of my tank and it is a great place for the Axies to play and feel comfortable. If anybody has a good idea of a setup for me I would really appreciate it, thanks:happy:

 

[layna]

You could use bits of wood to create hides, or pots, or just buy shop made hides hehe, plants are good, i like a lot of elodea floating on the top of my tank and my axies love to sit in it, i also have anubias and moss balls.

I bought a shop made pretend tree root for my tank and my axies love to sit in it similar to this;


The advanced aquarium really just seems to be a lot of plants, some wood with moss growing on it, and rocks to make a hide, im sure you could do that !

Its all about personal preference really and im forever thinking of new ideas and changing my tanks around hehe!

 

[jAfFa CaKe]

Thanks for the ideas, this is what I have done: sand on the bottom with a load of plants floating around, there is a hide (but only one Axie can fit in it) and a big piece of wood. I'll post a pic of it,
Thanks!

 

[layna]

Did you finish your set up?

 

[jAfFa CaKe]

Yeah, well most of it. I just need to add a few more plants and then it will be done! It really makes me happy when I take a good long look at the tank and the Axies, I'm sorry I forgot to post a pic( got a lot of homework) so when I get the chance I will. It's funny because now my axolotls are in a bigger tank they seem to stick together and lie on top of and other :ufo:
Anyways I've had lots of comments on the tank so when I get the chance I'll post a picture of it:happy:

 

[jAfFa CaKe]

Here it is, added a few last plants today, I think it's done but I might change it (not majorly anyway) the thermometer is in there just so I can keep an eye on the temp because the tanks in a new place...

 

[layna]

Looks very pretty! And big haha im jealous
Is there a reason its only half filled hehe? Is it deeper than the axies are long?

 

[jAfFa CaKe]

Yeah it's deeper then they are long, I ran out of tap water de-chlorinator so I did not get to fill it up fully but I will when I buy some moreroud:

 

[EmbryH]

Here it is, added a few last plants today, I think it's done but I might change it (not majorly anyway) the thermometer is in there just so I can keep an eye on the temp because the tanks in a new place...

jAfFa CaKe, I'd be a little wary about the depth of that sand. I believe that when it's that deep, you have a risk of (I believe) nitrate bubbles, which are supposed to be deadly. I don't have solid knowledge on that, but I've seen warnings about it before. More knowledgeable members can probably give you more detail, though.

 

[zombieaddict]

jAfFa CaKe, I'd be a little wary about the depth of that sand. I believe that when it's that deep, you have a risk of (I believe) nitrate bubbles, which are supposed to be deadly. I don't have solid knowledge on that, but I've seen warnings about it before. More knowledgeable members can probably give you more detail, though.

I'd be interested to hear more about this too. I've got maybe an inch or so of sand along the front of my tank but slanted it in the back and on one side to probably around 3" for a hilly look but I don't want to do that at the lotls' expense!

That's a gorgeous tank though! I love the second picture where it looks like someone is mooshing themselves against the glass to be in the picture. Too cute. <3

 

[Elise]

Thick substrates are ideal for an anaerobic bacteria buildup which can produce pockets of hydrogen sulfide. Since axolotls like to thrash around, areas of this toxic gas could release rapidly and potentially kill your axolotl.

That said, I've never seen reports of this happening and I suspect it would be hard to diagnose if it did. It is still a good idea to keep your substrate under 3 inches thick total when using multiple layers, with the sand layer being at or under an inch thick. If you look at the tank gallery you will notice that even the heavily planted tanks don't show substrates that are excessively thick.

Here is a read on hydrogen sulfide in aquariums: Hydrogen sulfide | The Skeptical Aquarist

 

[jAfFa CaKe]

So does anyone know what I should do about the bubbles, I figured that if I just took the sand out I would be releasing the gas into the water, or would it just bubble up and be gone?

 

[HayleyK]

Have less sand, and during your weekly water changes I siphon the sand which takes out the gunk and I gently stir the sand around, it's never harmed my axolotls and he doesn't thrash around in his tank ever when I do it. Maybe never let it build up and you'll be fine, I've been doing it for 2 years no problems

 

[Angi]

Yep, that's the trick. When you do your weekly water changed just make sure you're stirring up and siphoning the sand. Getting oxygenated water in to the sand is what prevents this. If you think these pockets may already be there or don't want to risk it just put your axie's in a container while you do your first "new" water change

 

[jAfFa CaKe]

Thanks, when I do my next water change I'll take the Axies out and siphon the sand. To get rid of the bubbles safely I read somewhere that you can use a pipette to suck out the gas so I'll do that.