Tank size concerns

[RupertxGiles]

So, for a while now my axies have lived in a few different tanks, all lined up along my bedroom walls haha. I have 4 in a 40 breeder, 2 others in a 29 , 2 more little ones in a 15 gallon tub, 1 newbie in a 10 gallon quarantine tank, and a spanking new one we couldnt resist getting in a small rubbermaid bin. So we now have 10 axies in total. Question is, in order to keep them all together, once the smaller ones get larger of course, what do i need to know about 100 gallon tank? I am planing on purchasing an acrylic 100 gallon tank this weekend for the future. I plan to install a homemade 3d background as well. Main concern for me is is the maintenence alot different on such a large tank? Also should i be concerned about all that weight on my floor? All advice appreciated

 

[Cacique]

Do you live in a house or an apartment? I believe 100 gallon tank could weight 1,000lbs+ so as long as the floor can handle that you should be fine. I can't give much advice other than what I've read about the things you're wondering.

First, acrylic tanks scratch much easier than glass, and it will need a completely solid stand because the bottom won't hold the weight without full support, and might be more expensive. The maintenance I would imagine would be somewhat the same just in a larger scale, and you'll be having to reach deeper into the water.

I have no idea what 100gallon tank would look like, but I would worry that it would have enough space for 10 axolotls with a 3D background in it. I had a 3D background on my axolotl's 10 gallon tank when I first got him as a baby and we quickly were looking into upgrading him because the 3D background made the tank look so much smaller (and we were looking for a bigger tank anyways).

 

[keiko]

I'd think about getting an even bigger tank. Especially if you want to make a 3D-background. Or maybe two big ones to separate males from females. My tank is about 60 gallons (big floor area, not very high) and I currently have three axies in it. I think I could put max 4 or 5 in there.

I don't think the maintenance would be very different. Everything's just bigger. Like you won't be changing just one bucket of water, you'll be changing several of them. If you'll get a really big tank then it might be worth to get one of those things that allows you to connect a hose straight to your tap and you can just let the water run in to your tank.

Some people say that if you get a really big tank then it would be good to place it next to a bearing wall.

 

[auntiejude]

I would really recommend keeping males and females separately. We see dozens of posts from people who have eggs and no idea who the parents are, and if you're wanting to breed them you'll need to select pairs carefully.

100 gal would weigh well over 1000lbs/ 500kg - thats half a ton! For reference a 3 seater sofa with 3 adults on weighs around 300kg/600lbs. If you have a concrete floor it would be OK with proper support under the tank, but I don't think I'd trust wooden floorboards with that kind of weight.

In terms of water changes, I now have 6 axie tanks totalling over 100 gal and change over 50gal a week, so my hubby has put together a little electric pump to make water changes easier. We can use the pump to pump water straight out of the tanks to a water butt outside or the drain, and to pump water in from the treatment tubs (30L buckets) in the kitchen. I would highly recommend this type of thing - it's so much easier than carting buckets around.

 

[Bette]

For large tanks, you should try to make sure that it is positioned against a load bearing wall, and that the underlying beams under the floor are NOT parallel to the tank. Against a concrete foundation wall is even better than just a load bearing wall. But I would definitely do two separate tanks for males and females. Like maybe two 40 breeder tanks(of course this depends on the ratio of males to females).
For water changes, I use a small transfer pump to empty water out a nearby window, then fill with my Aqueon water changer. No lugging buckets!:happy:

 

[RupertxGiles]

Thanks all . I will probably have to keep the tank in the basement then with the concrete floor. Water changes i will do the same only on a larger scale . Currentlt i have a hose / siphon that i hook up to my sink and it drains and fills my tanks for me. No buckets for me lol. As far as breeding goes i may get to 75 gallons..still deciding. Currently my males and females are separated, we have had our share of raising and selling eggs and babies and it definitely is a lot of work.

 

[axys]

just a quick addition to the other comments (unless i missed it) the one big difference i saw when i switched my turtles from a 20 to 40 gallon tank was the temperature. of course axys are way more sensitive to temp changes so i would really moniter the water temp for few days before putting the axys in. 100 gallon tanks are larger therefore more surface area therefore more evapration so its just going to be a slight more upkeep. also if u use a canister filter u might want to upgrade or but a secondary smaller filter. other than tht it should be ok. for weight distribution i good trick i red about is putting a foam pad under th tank. 100g tank upgrade sounds awesome!! good luck!