Tank upgrade from a 13 gal to a 40 gal

[jacksonuk]

Hey all,

Just got back in from a 2 hour round trip to pick up my new tank, a Juwel Rio 180. An upgrade from my Rekord 60.

The tank looks in great condition for a 3 year old 2nd hand tank, and a steal at £90 with all of the kit and cabinet.

Anyway, I already have one Axie at the moment and am looking at getting a second. What is the best way to introduce them? I am planning on getting a tank divider (if I can find one big enough) so they can get used to each other. My girlfriends main worry is that one may nip at the other one and I want to avoid this at all costs, even though i'm fully aware of the axolotls ability to regenerate.

Any ideas?

 

[Lacey]

If they are older axolotl's it is less likely they will nibble at each others gills and feet, however it still may happen. Especially when food is been given. It would be better to get one that is about the same size as the one you have now, make sure the tank is large enough so they have a lot of space each. However, divider would be the best idea i think. It should be easy to get one the right size, make one yourself, from plexi glass etc, drill holes in it, so the water can get through. Thats if your using one filter. It's easy enough Good luck

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Lots of hides. Lots and LOTS of hides will help the introduction.

Also they must be very similar in size. Axolotls will attempt to eat anything that moves, and a smaller axolotl is an excellent meal.

 

[kenya]

My two have always been together, and my leucistic has twice thought the gills of the wild type looked like bloodworms or something. I mean, she's not messing around, clamping ride on and having to be shaken off! No lost body parts yet though. I say take it slow, and like said above, LOTS of hides. Having a lot of space will be good for them though.

 

[Kerry1968]

Don't forget to quarantine any new tank mates for at least 30days in a seperate tank!

 

[jacksonuk]

Here's the tank all set up, he's setteled in well.

Have reduced the flow on the external and put cheaper bulbs in, the brightness still stressed him a little so I bought some light reflectors and put them on upside down so the tank is lit but the light doesn't directly shine down on him. He's much happier and much more active. The pic was taken before the lighting was changed so it is dimmer now.

All filter media was kept wet and aerated while being moved to the tank and all previous sand and all water was added. This will have kept almost all of the aerobic bacteria within the filter and sand alive, no spikes of NH3 or NO2 yet

 

[Greg31]

i bout regular lights for my tank, leave on for 6hr a day. No signs of stress yet. Should i think of getting dimmer lights?

 

[jacksonuk]

My one went from a dimmly lit tank with 6 LEDs over the top to a tank with 2 30W super-bright bulbs and spend all the time in the shaded sheltered parts. Now that I have put dimmer lights in and added reflectors so that the glow of the lights illuminate him and not the actual bulb (if that makes sense) he is out constantly.

 

[Darkmaverick]

Thats a lovely tank setup. Congratulations on a great job.

Cheers.