Shawn introduction

[Brodeo_321]

Hello all,

My name is Shawn I Live in Fort Worth With my Wife and daughter. We have kept a fish aquarium in our house for probably the last 8 years. Started out small with a beta eventually had a 20 gallon with about 12 different fresh water fish. Early in the fall we had to use a temporary house cleaner who to say the least did a horrible job. Including spraying the aquarium glass with glass cleaner which got into the tank and killed all the fish. Very very very disappointed.

But, things happen and we move on. During a visit to the zoo both wife and daughter fell in love with newts and requested we change from fish to newts. So, here I am looking for resources as we begin our journey.

In a perfect world we’d love to start with blue tailed fire belly newts. But will take eastern fire bellies if that what we find.

I started set up the terrarium a few weeks ago. I can post a photo later.

My questions: are there any quick reference guides for water quality?

Does anyone have any blue tailed fire belly newts for sale?

 

[Brodeo_321]

Hello all,

My name is Shawn I Live in Fort Worth With my Wife and daughter. We have kept a fish aquarium in our house for probably the last 8 years. Started out small with a beta eventually had a 20 gallon with about 12 different fresh water fish. Early in the fall we had to use a temporary house cleaner who to say the least did a horrible job. Including spraying the aquarium glass with glass cleaner which got into the tank and killed all the fish. Very very very disappointed.

But, things happen and we move on. During a visit to the zoo both wife and daughter fell in love with newts and requested we change from fish to newts. So, here I am looking for resources as we begin our journey.

In a perfect world we’d love to start with blue tailed fire belly newts. But will take eastern fire bellies if that what we find.

I started set up the terrarium a few weeks ago. I can post a photo later.

My questions: are there any quick reference guides for water quality?

Does anyone have any blue tailed fire belly newts for sale?

View attachment IMG_2313.jpeg

 

[Goldfishfan]

Hello Shawn,

I just joined here too. Concerning the water quality, you'll want to cycle the aqaurium water. This is a convoluted process that requires some knowledge about bacteria growth, water testing and aquarium livestock. The process of aquarium cycling allows for a few types of bacteria need to establish themselves in the aqaurium. This needs to be done in order for the aquarium to be habitable by pets. I recommend temporarily putting some small fish in there such as tetras or zebra danios to cycle the aqaurium for you. Those fish would need to be returned or rehomed afterward if you didn't want to keep them with the salamders. Returning fish to a pet store usually isn't doable so you'd have to figure something out.
You'll also need some sort of aqaurium filtration such as a hang on back filter. A sponge filter may work better for your partially filled aqaurium. About your partially filled aquarium, cycling it will be a little difficult. Filled halfway it's only 10 gallons. Low volumes of water like this can be challenging for a beginner to keep cycled. The reason that low volumes are water are difficult is because it's a delicate environment. It needs utmost care. Water changing and cleaning have to be done very carefully to avoid disrupting the cycle. The bacteria that keeps the cycle going is sensitive to drastic changes. Changing out a bunch of cycled aqaurium water with clean and cold tap water can easily kill off the tanks cycling bacteria. The temperature of the water to being changed needs to match that of the water removed.
Replacment water may also need a special additive called water conditioner if your are changing out water with tap water from municipal or city supply.

10 gallons can be cycled if you're vigilant and apply the right methods. 10 gallon tanks are a very common aqaurium size after all.


These aforementioned aqaurium filters circulate the water and also provide a home for the cycling (or beneficial) bacteria to live. Aqauriums are habitable by animals because of the bacteria that keeps cycling in the aqaurium. Its converting toxic ammonia and nitrite into nitrate. This replicates the nitrogen cycle in nature.

There is a lot of information to go through at the start but an aqaurium is pretty to take care of after its cycled.


Here's some more information about cycling. They probably explain it better than me.

Freshwater Fish Tank Cycling: How to Prepare for New Fish

if you’re looking to set up a brand-new fish tank, let’s talk about how to cycle an aquarium and prepare a healthy environment for your fish to live in.

www.aquariumcoop.com

As for the red belly salamders I'm not sure how you can get those. Its good idea to check your local government regulations. There was a import and interstate travel ban in 2016 which affected a lot of salamander and newt species. I just got an axolotl shipped to NY without any legal issues. That species is apparently OK to ship to certain states. I did see one website selling those salamders but didn't iron out the details.

Welcome and good luck!

Matt P.