Pachytriton & Filter...

[Mercuri]

I have a question that perhaps some of the more experienced owners could help me with. I have an adorable little Pachytrition labiatus who lives by himself in a 10 gallon tank (just like many users, I rescued him from a tank of firebelly newts and toads at my local pet store - we have been friends for several months now). I keep plant life in the tank, but I keep it against the wall so he has plenty of swimming space. I use a floating turtle land in case he gets curious and wants to hop up, but there is plenty of space below it to swim as well.

I use a Fluval submersible made for a 12 gallon tank (50 GPH) and the current seems just right for my little guy. However, my newt loves to spend most of the day wedged in between the Fluval and the wall. When I feed him, he comes out very excited and spends about an hour eating and swimming about, then usually retreats to his little hiding place. He seems very healthy and happy and is always ready to accept food (blood worms, and the occasional "newt bites" - he is the only newt I have ever known to love the things)

I just wanted to know if this was normal behavior. Should I include different types of hiding spots for him to try to lure him away from his filter retreat? The only reason I ask is that submersibles tend to get a little hotter than the typical filter and I don't want him to get too warm. Do you think it could potentially harm him in the long run?

Thanks for any help!

 

[audrey]

That seems like very normal behavior to me. Most of my paddletails will at times hide behind the filter especially if that is the only hiding place in the tank. (I also use submersible filters). If it bothers you, just try adding other kinds of hides for it. You can buy them at the petstore or you can find rocks, terricotta pots, ect to make them with. (do make sure if you collect them at random that you clean them very well before adding them to the tank). You may find that your paddletail still prefers to hide behind the filter at times though, because I think newts feel the most secure when they are wedged into a tight space.

 

[Otterwoman]

I have four different places for my pachy to hide, and she takes turns with all of them.

 

[Mercuri]

Thanks you two! I think I'll take the platform out (it is rather large and he isn't terrestrial anyway) and replace it with some floating cork and then add in some larger rocks and pots. After looking around, I noticed that many owners use the pots - I think they look cute! Any suggestions as to what materials to use to sand down any "holes" I make into them? Would sandpaper work for that?

Also - what is the best way to sterilize/clean foreign objects I plan on putting into the tank? I will look in the vivarium thread for ideas too.

I will try to post some photos after I remodel and hopefully my Pachy will be much happier!

 

[jewett]

Autoclaving is the best method to sterilize objects before putting them in a tank. However, if you don't have access to an autoclave than I think boiling would be the next best method. I would boil the object for about 20 minutes. I think it is a good idea to sterilize things you find in nature, like rocks and wood, but by using brand new terra cotta pots, than there is no need to sterilize (though I would still rinse them off). You can also bleach items (dilute the bleach to 10% in water) with non porous items but you have to be sure to rinse them off VERY well before putting them in with your animal.
My Pachy used to hide behind the filter all the time until I switched around her tank and rearranged her rock piles. Now I never find her around the filter - I don't know what it is about the configuration of the old versus the new rock piles, but she sure likes the new better!

 

[Jennewt]

When I break holes in pots, I just use the edge of the pliers to smooth out the edge. I suppose that course sandpaper would work also, but I don't bother to make them that smooth. Pots break more easily if they are soaked overnight beforehand. Good luck!

 

[AaronK]

I use pots in my Pachytriton's tank also. I knocked a hole in it with a hammer by tapping very gently and then used a file to smooth it out. I also have a thin layer of sand on the bottom of the tank.

 

[angelkitty]

I have a small floating hollow log that my guy loves to hide in. It's a zoo med turtle log but works great for newts as well. I only paid like about $8 for it and there are 3 different sizes.
Angel :angel:

 

[ricecake]

Hey,

My Pachy B has loads of different hiding places in his tank. He loves to wedge himself between the glass and the filter. I just always thought he liked the vibration of it. He also likes to wedge himself in all the little nooks and crannies around the tanks

 

[Triton]

This thread has been very informative I'm glad to know this is normal Pachy behavior. I do however have another question. I have a whisper internal power filter. While it was running my newt moved very little, and kept her tail in a u shape fanning it whenever I turned on the light or offered food. So I turned off the filter one day, She instantly began to move around her aquarium and has since lodged herself behind the filter. Is it possible that the current was too strong and caused her discomfort? or is there something else that I should check for. I don't want to leave her without a filter for too long, should I invest in a different type of filter? If so which would you recommend.

 

[Lasher]

It could be, Triton, though they tend to like some current. It could be to strong or direct, is your filter outflow adjustable? You could try changing the direction of the filter, towards the side of the tank or surface. Alternatively you could stick a piece of sponge over it or place some other obstacle to diffuse the current a bit.