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breavery

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Hello... I am a newbie to axolotls although I have done lots of research and have been wanting one for a few years now... I have 2 x 5 month olds in a 30 gallon with low flow filter, lots of floating plastic plants for cover, with two hidey spots. Now, I have been getting conflicting info while doing my research as to whether or not they also need aeration in the form of a small bubbler and also whether or not it is ok to use sand for the bottom of the tank!? I've read in some places that they will ingest the sand and become ill but it seems that many people on this forum use sand?? so.. I would have to guess it's not bad for them... ? Right now I have a bare bottom tank which is not very nice looking plus I keep watching them slide around and I would think it would stress them out!? I know I may need to get a bigger tank for them when they get bigger but that's ok because I also have a 55 gallon that is empty right now... I just set them up in the 30 for now.
I've been feeding frozen blood worms and frozen brine shrimp (which they LOVE)... I wonder if I may be overfeeding though... however, they do eat EVERY bit of food .. so is it ok as long as they eat it all or will they overeat to the point of making themselves sick?! I'm sure I have more questions but I can't think of them right now...
Thanks for any and all help!
 
from my own research, fine sand is the preferred substrate - it can sometimes build up and cause constipation, but usually the axie can pass it on its own. Remember this is what they would find in the wild.
To see if you're overfeeding them look at them from above. Their stomachs should be no wider than their head. When they;'re full grown, they only need feeding every 2/3 days.
I don't use an air pump in my tank because it's too noisy, but there's no reason you shouldn't as long as it doesn't stir up the water too much.

hope that helps!
 
Hey and welcome to the addictive world of the Axolotl. Awwwww 2 cute little guys I'm sure we'd all love to see them if you can put some pictures up :happy:
I too tend to think that a bare bottom would be stressing but plenty of members here have bare bottoms. Sand with grains 1mm or smaller is the recommendation for these little guys and yes they will swallow it but they will also pass it without issue 99% of the time but you do get the odd one that has a little trouble with even sand. Other members have even placed large slate tiles in the bottom of their tanks. A few have very large pebbles and I mean large they are much bigger than the axies head but they can trap a LOT of dirt and muck no matter how hard you try to keep it clean and that muck will affect you water.

You don't have to have a bubbler or air stone. Some axies love them and will sit in the bubbles for ages my guys however hate the bubbles, or maybe just the noise and never come out and will actually run and hide if I turn it on.

It's usually a god idea to have more hides than you do axies so they can pick and choose a little without invading each others space but it's not essential.

Bloodworms and brineshrimp are a good treat food but not so great as a staple after their first few months. Earthworms or axie pellets would be better for them if they are big enough to take them. My youngest was eating pellets and small worms at 5 months so they should be fine. As for how much you should feed at that age I'd take Siona's advice if their bellies start to get wider than their heads it's time to cut back on either the quantity or the frequency. My 6 month old is fed every other day and he is doing very well.

Looks like you're doing really well so far and doing your research before you got them was GREAT! Keep up the good work and your little guys will love you forever :happy:
Looking forward to some pics
Mere.
 
Welcome :D
I'm not a experienced as many other members here. My 3 axies are just over 1 year old + they were already at least 2-3 months old when I got them.
I have tried sand + bare floor in my tank (I currently have a grass matting, which can be seen in this thread - http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...xicanum/f62-axolotl-gallery/74496-my-3-a.html ) Although it didn't seem to bother my girls, I didn't like the bare floor. The sand, I found a little tricky to clean, but only because my turkey baster kept sucking up more sand than waste - I'd recommend it rather than bare floor, but of course, it is down to personal preference ;)

And, of course, the most important thing to remember, is to listen to the guys here, rather than local pet stores. Even the most experienced pet stores probably don't have as much experience with axies as some of the people here ;)
Under each person's name + avatar, you can see some little squares (mine is 1 green, I think) - forum users can vote to increase these squares when someone gives an amazing piece of advise (which has to be confirmed by mods, so there has to be a good reason for each increase), so the more green squares someone has, the better their advise has been, plus, you can see when people have joined the forum + that'll give you a rough idea how long they have been keeping axies / similar animals for (some joined here after already becoming experienced + some join to get info before buying, but it stills gives a general idea)
 
Oh - and about the bubble stone - I found it necessary to aerate my tank, since I have no live plants as yet, but I have it on very lightly - it doesn't disturb my axies, or make much noise + they have shown neither preference for it nor avoidance of it. They sometimes go through the bubbles or sit in them, but not deliberately + they don't scoot away when that happens either.
 
I have an air stone and my axie loves swimming in it, he can keep at it for ages. It doesnt disturb him in the slightest. Also, bubbles are pretty!
 
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