Question about possible substrate

[Yoclo]

Big axolotl noob here-

I've read and had people tell me to not put sand in the tank until my axie is fully grown because it is not necessary and easier to clean without it (I'm getting a tank now, I don't have an axolotl yet) but I really want to have live plants in my tank and I can't do that without some kind of substrate.

Would it be possible to have a layer of sand in the tank ,and then in the area in the front without plants, kind of tile the floor with pieces of sea glass to minimize the area covered by sand? Would this have any effect on how difficult the tank is to clean? Also, even if the pieces of sea glass are round and smooth and bigger than an axie's head, would the fact that they could put it in their mouth if they dislodged it from the sand be bad (even though they couldn't swallow it)?

I'm sorry I'm such a noob

 

[ChristineB]

Just an idea, many people with no substrate do either free-floating/unrooted plants (there are many types) or use pots (you can use the plastic basket things you buy rooted aquatic plants in). Cleaning sand under glass sounds laborious to me. Maybe you could affix them to a tile with aquarium sealant (like a mosaic) and fill in with aquarium-safe grout for a similar effect that would be easier to clean and no impaction risk.

 

[qannp]

Big axolotl noob here-

Welcome! :wacko:

I've read and had people tell me to not put sand in the tank until my axie is fully grown because it is not necessary and easier to clean without it (I'm getting a tank now, I don't have an axolotl yet) but I really want to have live plants in my tank and I can't do that without some kind of substrate.

As long as mine were eating bloodworms and other small creatures that can't be handfed, they had no substrate. At the same time, you always should put them under quarantine (4 weeks minimum, better 8 weeks), even if they're your first axies, so this has never been a problem for me. The quarantine tanks are barebottom, the final tank has substrate.

You could put the plants in pots as Christine said or go for plants that don't need substrate at all. Anubias are great and can deal with the low temperature in a lotl-tank. Since they grow so slow, I like to combine them with plants like Vallisneria (substrate needed) and floating plants like Elodea. Vallis and Elodea will help to keep the water quality, too, and my axies love to hide between the leafs.

Would it be possible to have a layer of sand in the tank ,and then in the area in the front without plants, kind of tile the floor with pieces of sea glass to minimize the area covered by sand?

It would until you put the axies in the tank. They like to run around and shove everything away and will cause a big mess in your pretty setup.

Would this have any effect on how difficult the tank is to clean? Also, even if the pieces of sea glass are round and smooth and bigger than an axie's head, would the fact that they could put it in their mouth if they dislodged it from the sand be bad (even though they couldn't swallow it)?

Axies are able to swallow amazingly big objects. Don't put any decoration items in your tank that are smaller than a tennisball. Really - even if the can't swallow the sea glass completely, they could try it and choke. They're not the smartest.
It will also be nearly impossible to keep the tank clean without removing the sea glass.

Don't apologize for asking questions - that's what forums are for! :happy:

 

[allied123]

I agree with the suggestion of plants like anubis (that aren't planted IN substrate, most people attach them to a piece of driftwood, I have some rubberbanded to a piece of fake wood) or if you do really want plants that need to be in a substrate you could probably put them in pots for now and then in a couple months when the axie(s?) are big enough you could put sand in and replant the plants or keep the axies in a separate tank til they're big enough for sand?

 

[cabbysarus]

I feed them in a jar when they eat blood worms and other small messy things. This will keep the food off the sand so they won't be eating as much of it.

 

[Icyriah]

Would it be difficult to keep the plants though? Are there low-light aquatic plants that would work for axolotls?