Substrate ideas

[886471]

Hey guys, i'm a new axolotl owner and was wondering if it was ok to leave the tank bare bottom. I just thought id post it on this thread because it is related.

Thanks

 

[Bellabelloo]

Hi

I moved this so you had your own post .

My axolotl tank is bare bottomed, it is absolutely fine for them.

 

[Elliriyanna]

Bare bottom is highly recommended especially for young axolotls

 

[snuggly time]

My young one has a bare bottom tank

 

[FX1C]

I don't like the look of bare bottom - I'm currently cycling a 6' tank & I've just put them (3 lotls) into a 4' with a cycled filter with a bare bottom & it is very easy to clean & the lotls don't seem to mind... Except at one end where the flow is a little strong & they tend to slide along - that said one of them lurves going slidies along that end So I'm learning to like it.

So to answer your question bare bottom is highly recommended - especially for young ones - you'll find it easy to maintain - so that's a bonus!



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[886471]

Thanks for giving me my own post and thanks for the answers I really appreciate it

 

[mshine1217]

I posted this on Nikki's thread of the build, but I thought that I'd share this here:
Since leaving the bottom bare shows all the “dirt” and using gravel isn’t safe for the Axie’s, I tried the following with excellent results. I spread a good layer silicone sealer on the bottom and then spread pebbles on top, about 2 inches. I pushed while spreading to anchor the pebbles into the silicone then let the silicone cure. Then I emptied the tank of all the loose pebbles, rinsed the tank out. I ended up with an aesthetically pleasing result than is easy to clean, safe and nice to look at.

 

[FX1C]

I posted this on Nikki's thread of the build, but I thought that I'd share this here:
Since leaving the bottom bare shows all the “dirt” and using gravel isn’t safe for the Axie’s, I tried the following with excellent results. I spread a good layer silicone sealer on the bottom and then spread pebbles on top, about 2 inches. I pushed while spreading to anchor the pebbles into the silicone then let the silicone cure. Then I emptied the tank of all the loose pebbles, rinsed the tank out. I ended up with an aesthetically pleasing result than is easy to clean, safe and nice to look at.

That would work fantastically for smaller tanks - but for my 6ft tank it would be a very difficult task & add a ridiculous amount of weight to an already ridonkulously heavy tank!

I had contemplated siliconing in tiles or slate but it would've added 25kg+ to the tank weight. I will try siliconing tiles down into a 4ft tank I have & I might try your method in one of my smaller 2ft tanks as I love the idea of the glued / siliconed down pebble finish. The fact that it should be easy to keep clean & offer the axolotls some purchase under foot is a huge bonus.



<3 >o_o< <3

 

[ZombieAxolotl]

It depends on what i'm doing with the tank, show tank or just a breeding/holding tank.

I'm usually a bare bottom kinda girl lol

But I also use slate pieces in some of my adult tanks.
I have a very fine sand in the bottom of my A. Andersoni tanks,
and on juvies and babies I will eiether go bare, or if i'm doing a display I will use small river rocks about an inch in size. There is no way they can swallow them. you just need to make sure they are secure and won't tip or crush the babies.