Question: Substrate vs No Substrate

[MThompson299]

Hello Everyone,

So we have our axolotls in a 55 gallon tank and decided to use sand as a substrate. When we feed them we notice sand getting in the way as they are continually spitting sand out while they eat. We tried clearing a specific area we tend to put their food at, but sand keeps migrating into the area as well as their food shifts around. We also tried putting the food in a small container as well, but again the food migrated out and on to the sand. Just wondering if removing the sand completely would be an issue for the axolotls? I have read in some posts that it made cleaning easier, but I also read that having a tank without a substrate made it harder for the axolotls to move around and may cause unneeded stress. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. we feed our axolotls frozen blood worms as well as live red wigglers.

 

[Bette]

My axies don't seem to show any stress in regards to their tank's lack of substrate. Of course, it is not a completely bare tank. I have multiple large moss balls, sagittaria weighted down with lava rock, and their several cave hides.
It is much easier to keep the bare bottom tank clean.