Still Water

[Roney]

I have very small p. Waltl in a 40 gallon breeder, I had a filter it was a Fluval U4 but the suction was too strong for te little guys. I decided to take the filter out and go with still water until they get bigger, it was also hard for them to walk on the barebottom tank when the filter is on. Any suggestions?

 

[RobM]

I had a U4 before running in a smaller tank than that. If you use the "spray bar" and turn it to one side, it restricts the amount of water that goes in and out of it. Also it allows you to aim it to the side, so you could aim it at the glass to reduce its flow in the rest of the tank. Also if you suspend it nearer to the surface of the water, there will be a lower flow on the bottom which should make it easier for your newts to walk on the bottom.

 

[Samphibian]

If you're asking for suggestions to clean the tank then why not try a gravel cleanser. they can clean out the waste pretty easily without disturbing them if you're careful.

 

[Roney]

I was looking more for suggestions on how others have there still water tanks set up

 

[wickedzik]

You can try using an undergravel filter momentarily which would help maintain water quality, plus giving you calm water and safe for your younglings. But if you really want a no-filter setup, don't use low-level of water so the water won't spoil quickly, and preferably some aquatic/floating plants which helps maintain good water quality(just learned about this very recently from Azhael.)

 

[Roney]

im in the process of planting my tank now the filter was blowing the plants over too.

 

[Ken Worthington]

I would see how you get on with either an airstone (with enough bubbles to 'break' the surface, but not enough to cause turbulence) or a box-filter, the sort that runs on an air line, if you want to use a filter.

Personally, I go for the "no-filter, heavily-planted, keep-an-eye-on-the-water-quality" approach. I combine siphoning dirt out with frequent small water changes, and it seems to work. My tanks are fairly understocked (as far as newts/water ratio), and the plants play a huge role in keeping the water healthy.

Your waltl are only small, so even though they'll create a lot of 'poop' when they're bigger, you'll be fine without a filter.
Remember to check the water quality (Ammonia,nitrites,nitrates) regularly.

Good luck with the planting, and post some photos :happy:

 

[Roney]

might get a sponge filter and allot of plants this weekend.

 

[FRANCOIS]

I would see how you get on with either an airstone (with enough bubbles to 'break' the surface, but not enough to cause turbulence) or a box-filter, the sort that runs on an air line, if you want to use a filter.

Personally, I go for the "no-filter, heavily-planted, keep-an-eye-on-the-water-quality" approach. I combine siphoning dirt out with frequent small water changes, and it seems to work. My tanks are fairly understocked (as far as newts/water ratio), and the plants play a huge role in keeping the water healthy.

Your waltl are only small, so even though they'll create a lot of 'poop' when they're bigger, you'll be fine without a filter.
Remember to check the water quality (Ammonia,nitrites,nitrates) regularly.

Good luck with the planting, and post some photos :happy:

That's what I do... works like a charm!

 

[eldaldo]

Yeah, HEAVILY planted is the key word when you have alot of newts. fill that thing chock full. also, having houseplants with their roots in the water seems to be really important. Plants like Pothos and Wandering Jew and lucky bamboo are probably the easiest to find and best suited to growing in water/filtering water. In my tanks that had emergent plants, I find no traces of ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates! In the tanks that only have aquatic plants, nitrates build up over time. Depending on who you talk to Nitrates are not that dangerous, but wouldn't it be nice to not have to worry about them?

In my opinion a tank full of plants is the best still water tank, and I also find it looks nicer too!

 

[Roney]

I plan on purchasing different floating plants either this week or next week, since my tank is barebottom im just going to let the plants float around.

 

[Kaysie]

Go with a sponge filter for babies.

 

[Roney]

Any suggestions on good sponge filters? I only see them online.

 

[Kaysie]

I use Lee's clover-shape. Lots of surface area.

 

[Roney]

I found the lee's filter online what kind of air pump do u suggest I have no idea how to set it up.

 

[Jennewt]

Any air pump will work. You could get the smallest one you can find and it will do the job for one sponge filter. I like Rena air pumps because they are quiet, and you can get repair parts to fix them so they last forever. Basically you just connect the pump to the filter, using air tubing. If the bubbling is too strong, you may need a valve or clamp to reduce the air flow.

 

[Roney]

I thought of another idea, I was thinking about place sponges on the sides of the filter to reduce the strength of the suction and it can also work like sponge filters... Anyone think that would work?

 

[Kaysie]

Reducing the flow of your filter by putting things inside it can cause the motor to burn up. The motors are designed to be water-cooled, and restricting the flow of water to the motor will burn it up more quickly, and will heat your water in the process.

 

[Roney]

Sponge filter it is then thank you all for the help by the way.