Question: Newt Tank: probably a stupid question, but please help anyway :)

[39buttons]

OK, I admit it; I am hopelessly confused...

I have had a Chinese FB for a couple of months, and have been keeping him in what I now realise is a very unsuitable tank. I did do my homework before I got him, I promise, but I guess there's a lot of conflicting or misguided information out there on the internet.

Anyway, I think I have now read almost everything on this site and looked at the pictures of other people's setups, but I confess that I'm still none the wiser. So, I think what he needs is:
- a 10 gallon tank (which I think means about 30 litres, or 2ft by 1ft?)
- no light
- no filter
- a tight-fitting lid, either mesh or with air holes

Is that right? Because when I went down to my local aquatic shop, they informed me that nobody makes such a thing!

The only thing I can think to do at the moment is try to improvise with my old Perfecto gerbil tank, which is made like an aquarium or viv, 3ft by 2ft, glass, with a mesh lid, but it does have shelves in the corners. Would that work?

I've got some lovely plants on order... it would be nice to have a tank to put them in!

Thanks for your help.

 

[Wildebeestking]

I imagine the old gerbil tank could work. You might be able to make the shelves into nicely planted areas or something for your newt to climb out on. If you don't want to use the gerbil tank just go to your local fish store and buy a ten gallon tank, and a reptile mesh lid for it. The tank and lid will come separately.

 

[jasper408]

OK, I admit it; I am hopelessly confused...

I have had a Chinese FB for a couple of months, and have been keeping him in what I now realise is a very unsuitable tank. I did do my homework before I got him, I promise, but I guess there's a lot of conflicting or misguided information out there on the internet.

Anyway, I think I have now read almost everything on this site and looked at the pictures of other people's setups, but I confess that I'm still none the wiser. So, I think what he needs is:
- a 10 gallon tank (which I think means about 30 litres, or 2ft by 1ft?)
- no light
- no filter
- a tight-fitting lid, either mesh or with air holes

Is that right? Because when I went down to my local aquatic shop, they informed me that nobody makes such a thing!

The only thing I can think to do at the moment is try to improvise with my old Perfecto gerbil tank, which is made like an aquarium or viv, 3ft by 2ft, glass, with a mesh lid, but it does have shelves in the corners. Would that work?

I've got some lovely plants on order... it would be nice to have a tank to put them in!

Thanks for your help.

-A 10 gallon for a single FBN is pretty big, but is a nice size tank you can later put more in. Standard in the U.S is 20'' by 10'' by 12'', which is less than 2ft by 1 ft.
-Lights are fine.
-Filter is fine, provided that the intake is not too powerful and the output has been changed to limit water agitation. Or you could simply use a sponge filter, which also provides aeration. They are not essential, however.
- I use a regular aquarium hood with my tanks, and I like it a million times better than a mesh one I also have. I do have air pumps connected to the sponge filters, however.

I am a little worried about the gerbil tank. The glass may be too thin and the silicone not enough to support so much water. They warn against using reptile tanks as aquariums for this very reason. If it is just an aquarium outfitted with shelves, then there shouldn't be a problem.

This is by means not the only solution, but you can probably buy tank sets that include the tank, light, and hood, and then buy an appropriate air pump and sponge filter. This way, you get an inescapable lid, a light, aeration and filtration in (almost) one swoop.

 

[Revan]

I've used fish tanks for years, just normal plastic fish tank lids. The most important thing is water quality. This link is something that should be read right away if you are new to keeping any aquatic animal. Caudata Culture Articles - Cycling

You will need light also, for the plants you put in. Put as many plants in the tank as you can, a floating plant will be appreciated by fire bellies, they like basking at the top. This animal needs no terrestrial area. The lid has to be completely escape proof, they will find a way out of the smallest crevice. No filter for these guys, that is correct.

10 gallons would do 4-6 fire bellies, however for 1 it is the same demand. It is more for keeping the water safe for the animal. The more water the less problematic water issues are to the animals.

If you are looking for floating plants email me and i'll point you in the right direction.

I don't know about the tank you have, sounds a bit dodgy to me, a picture may get a better response.