Plant "carpets" in axolotl tanks?

[tigmades]

I would like to know if anyone thinks it would be a bad idea to have a carpet of say, Elatine triandra? I'm trying to figure out an alternative to sand and bare bottom

 

[Olivia97]

I couldn't see anything wrong with the carpet, but i would wait until it's fully established before introducing your axie. I would consider some other varieties of plants though.

 

[tigmades]

the plan I've thought up is grow it in mesh or something as a wall, then when it's done place it in the bottom

What other plant varieties would you suggest? I have 3ish weeks before mine arrive ^_^ I'd be looking for an easy plant to grow - I don't want to have high lighting, or any CO2 equipment going. I'm guessing ferts are safe to use?

 

[Olivia97]

I wouldn't use any ferts with axies in there. I would go with a plant that's really compact and not too long. (sorry not good with names) Elatine is a fairly wispy plant in my experience.

 

[Kaysie]

Some people have built java moss walls.

I would think twice about a carpet. Axolotls are bottom feeders, so anything that remotely looks like food on the bottom will be eaten, along with plants.

 

[Olivia97]

Yea, that's why i suggested a smaller more compact plant, that way there's nothing 'swaying' in the water.

 

[tigmades]

hmmm.... when they're older, I guess options really are pretty much bare bottom which could stress them, or sand, which could impact them. Tough choices!!

Hmm, no ferts eh? Well I'd rather be safe than sorry - I'll not use any unless I'm told of the wonderful lack-of-effect by others!

 

[cashsand]

You could put slate on the bottom. The only thing is from what I've read it makes it a bit harder to clean since you have to clean under the slate.

 

[CJ1981]

You could put slate on the bottom. The only thing is from what I've read it makes it a bit harder to clean since you have to clean under the slate.

Not unless you have 'glued' it down well with aquarium sealant so no bits can get trapped underneath - you just treat it like a bare bottomed tank then!

 

[tigmades]

With slate I'd worry about stressing them out from having to lift up the slate constantly xD I guess glue is an option... but then prevents me from rearranging... hmmm! Lots to think about! Thanks for all the opinions thus far

 

[Hamamelis]

It's not easy to get a good, neat, carpet of any plant without CO2 and/or fertilizer, and almost all carpetting plants (except some slow-growing mosses maybe) want very high light levels. Even in a tank with just fish that didn't mind high light levels, I never managed to grow one that looked like anything but a straggly mess.

 

[FX1C]

With slate I'd worry about stressing them out from having to lift up the slate constantly xD I guess glue is an option... but then prevents me from rearranging... hmmm! Lots to think about! Thanks for all the opinions thus far

I think the idea with slate is to silicone seal it completely around the edges so it is a permanent fixture & then it's just as easy to maintain as a bare bottom tank. I just looked into slate for my 6' & my biggest concern is adding another 25kg to the already ridonkulously heavy tank!



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