Pictures of tank, need help!

[Alkylhalide]

This is my tank thus far

It is a 50gallon(36x18x19") and currently houses 5axolotls. I know that makes it a bit cramped but ots the best I have for now. One day when I buy a house they will go in a 75gallon for sure.

I put an ad on kijiji for plants, and so far got two free plus a light for my tank for 30$ so maybe the plants will live. Problem is is that now I need a better setup so my lotls have more dark spots.

I am looking for a few immediate options, something I can do to the tank right now, plus some advice on builds to help make my tank nicer and with more hides(mind you i have a tight budget but I fgured rocks and silicone wouldnt be expensive but I need some ideas and good places to get rocks)

Thanks in advance! I look foreward to the help. Plus I have some more plants that I will be getting, plus I have some in our 30gallon cichlid tank that i need help finding a way to plant them(they vine, and i have no substrate)

 

[Jadore axolotl]

For a quick, cheap and simple way to make hides for axolotls terracotta pots are really handy. You should be able to pick them up in any garden or DIY shop and they are very cheap. You can then lay them in the tank on their side, break a hole in the side of them (but make sure there are no sharp edges) and place them upside down or if you get big pots break it down the middle and place each half broken side down to make two hides. If you can get terracotta piping that also makes great hides, I'm not sure how easy it is to get now or if it can even be bought anymore though as I found mine laying in a field!

There are many other ways but as I said this is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way that I know of! Hope it helps.

 

[Alkylhalide]

What about pvc piping? I just dont know how i would cut a pot, and I am not very keen on just breaking them. I was thinking pvc piping if i could somehow cut them in half too. I will go check the hardware stores and see about the pots and/pvc piping.

Thank you
Any tips on planting with bare bottom tanks?

 

[Jadore axolotl]

I've never tied to plant a bare bottom tank so unfortunately can't help you there.

I'm sure PVC piping would work, but I'm not sure if it would float or sink? that would be my only concern. I've always just broken terracotta with a hammer or chisel, sure some will break beyond what you want but you get a more "natural" looking hole than if you cut it and then you can file off any sharp edges and refine the hole to what you want afterwards.

 

[Alkylhalide]

That is a very valid point. Thank you. I may do a little of both