Tank setup correct ?

[nynke]

Hi im Nynke from the Netherlands. And im new to the wonderfull world of axolotls. I will get my 4 axolotls this friday. I got a 1m by 40 by 40 aquarium. I got some pictures, so you guys can check out my setup. Is this suiteble for axolotls ?

Left side

Right side

Front

 

[Abrahm]

Looks pretty awesome! I think your enclosure could use a few more hiding spots, specifically more cave like places that could enclose an axolotl and make it feel secure. You probably want two to three more than you have axolotls. Otherwise your enclosure looks quite nice and I like the sand that you used. You will also want to make sure that your filter doesn't create too much of a current.

 

[nynke]

Ty for the tips. Its true that the filter has a strong current. I can put it up higher in the tank so the water on the top will flow more. Is a flower pot a good hiding spot for the axolotls ?

ps

Sry for my english, but what do you mean with this line?

You probably want two to three more than you have axolotls.

 

[Abrahm]

Ty for the tips. Its true that the filter has a strong current. I can put it up higher in the tank so the water on the top will flow more. Is a flower pot a good hiding spot for the axolotls ?

Yup, flower pots are good hides and so are lengths of PVC tubing. As for the filter you might want to get a baffle or spray bar for it to disperse the flow.

Sry for my english, but what do you mean with this line?

I meant that you should have more hiding places than you do axolotls. So if you have 4 axolotls you should consider having 6 hides. Hopefully that clears it up?

 

[nynke]

Hahaha ok thats better. I thought you sayed that i needed to buy more axolotls, im like owh noo 4 is more then enough

I will get some flower pots in it.

How much water change should I do. 1 time a week or more times ? and how manny liters ? My tank has about 140 liter.

 

[Abrahm]

Well, if your tank isn't cycled you may need to change your tank water more than once a week, namely whenever ammonia or nitrite levels become too high. If your tank is already cycled, once a week should be good or whenever nitrates go over 40ppm. A good rule of thumb for how much water to change is 10-25% so that would be 14 to 35 liters.

 

[nynke]

Well it is up and running for 4 days now. I used aquasafe, to make the water more suiteble for life stock. And I leave the dead plant parts in the aquarium for food for the bacterien. When im going to get my axo's, im taking a water sample with me. To messure nitrate hp etc. Is their more I can do to cycle my aquarium ?

 

[Abrahm]

Well, there isn't too much you can do to speed it along, it really just needs time. I would recommend reading that article I linked to in my last post if you haven't already. The only thing to make it go faster is to ask a friend who keeps newts or fish to give you a piece of driftwood or a rock out of their tank and to put it in your tank. You have to make sure to transport it in tank water to keep the nitrifying bacteria alive! It works best if you add the article from the friends tank at the same time as the axolotls.

Regardless, with that many axolotls make sure to watch your aquarium parameters closely the first month you have your axolotls and be prepared to do plenty of water changes.

 

[nynke]

I get my axo's from the pet shop. In their tank are 2 big stones. Mabey i can buy them to so i have bacterien from their tank transfered to mine.

I only need to watch the nitrate or other stuff to ? So I can buy the testing sets tommorow.

Ty for helping me out with this !

 

[Abrahm]

The really important things to watch with a new tank are ammonia and nitrite. These are the really toxic components of waste break down. Nitrate is the end of the nitrogen cycle in the tank and is only dangerous when it builds up to high levels. The best tests to have are ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests. The liquid test kits where you add tank water to a tube along with some reagents are much better than the dip strip tests. The dip strip kind are more expensive and less accurate. I would recommend getting the ammonia and nitrite kits and getter the nitrate kit later unless you can find all three together and then get that kit.

 

[nynke]

Ty i will look for them tommorow, then im gonna buy some floating plants to, and mabey im gonna buy a water lelie (is that a good english word). Making some holes for the axo's and im getting a bigger outside filter.

They tank will get better after these upgrades

 

[nynke]

I just put on a extra filter in working. Its the eheim 2213 400l a hour. I used a raw tube that i put on the surface. For extra movement. The old filter i use to filter my surface. So my eheim will move the durt that flows on the surface to my little filter that filters it out. Alsow my little filter his flow is towards the surface so the water flow goes in a circle. It always ends up to my little filter.

I think my tank setup is now perfect. Almost now water flow in the tank but all the water flow is in the upperlayer of the tank.

 

[nynke]

photo's say more then words.

This is my Eheim 2213 440l a hour.

Where the water comes out.

My surface filter.

 

[nynke]

I just bought some guppy's for my tank ( 2 male 5 female). So my water will recycle better. They are swimming really happy all around my tank. They even take my food already.

Around 1 o clock im gonna buy my Nymphaea. And today my dad brings some pvc with him.

 

[nynke]

I did a 30 liter water change. So the water isnt really clear atm.

Compleet photo

Left side

Middle part

Right
side

My little friends for now.

 

[gr33neyes]

I think that looks very good. Lots of hiding places which they will love and they won't have to fight over them. Well done with setting up a nice tank.

 

[fish7286]

is it okay to put guppies in with axies? i was told that thay would nip their gills and agitate them.
but then that was the same pet shop that told me that i should use gravel not sand in my tank.

 

[philbaker76]

is it okay to put guppies in with axies? i was told that thay would nip their gills and agitate them.
but then that was the same pet shop that told me that i should use gravel not sand in my tank.

There is a lot of debate about feeder fish, I assume just like any food - if they don't eat it, take it out. I've fed mine live fish with no problems, but only a couple of fish at a time.

...Oh, nice set up Nynke!

 

[gr33neyes]

Yes you can put guppies in with axolotls, however any guppies that dont get eaten may grow large enough to become a nuisance to an axolotl. They will nip at their fins and gills and cause problems. So if you could have a separate tank for the parents and just throw the fry in with the axies once they are born you may find that better all round.

 

[IAMSTEVE]

Very Nice Tank Indeed.
I Say Guppies Should Be fine.. But watch them when they are bigger thats all. Everything varies aha.
By the Way I wish I had Your Tank It's Beautiful. Knowing me I'd have fish in it, Or a Nice set up for a Frog/ Fish. 1/4 filled with water/smalle fish, and "frog Island above."

Anywho, Congrats on Your Set Up.

~Steve