Too hot ?

[joeri]

Actually I have 2 questions. I'm new to this forum so if I can find answers to my questions in an other topic, don't mind redirecting me. Haven't been able to read all the posts. (I would be 60 by the time I would have red them all

Question1 concerns tempratures. I've red on the caresheets that newts don't like high temeratures. My CFBN shouldn't be over 68F/20°C and my Pleuro.Waltl not over 70F/21°C.
For the last few weeks we had exceptionnal heat here in Belgium so the tanks got way over that limit. Now that the heat is over my P.W. are in the correct temp. but I have a problem with the CFBN. They are in a tank with a lamp. But this lamp heats the water in there of course. I keep the lid open as much as I can (it's secure that the newts can't escape)
The question is: how can I keep temps at a lower level in case of an other heatwave or in the tank with the lamp?

2nd question.
I've red different oppinions on this one and I'm a bit clueless now. This one regards my CFBN only. I have 2 of them and 1 is in the water all the time. The other one never. When I put the light on he sometimes goes in the water, but makes sure his head doesn't go under. He does this by hanging on the wood he's allways on.

Do I have to force him into the water or should I expand his landarea wich is really small now? They just moved to this tank a couple of days ago. I've only fed them in the water, but the one on the land hasn't eaten. Should I keep feeding them only in the water or should I feed him on the land as well? Maybe in a small plate filled with water?

At the moment I don't have any floating waterplants, cause they ware out of it at my shop. But as soon as they come in I'll provide my tank with it. Maybe he'll feel safer then.

Thanks for helping me out

 

[jennifer]

1. In summer, my old house was a steady 78F (25C) during hot weather, but I was able to keep the water temperatures at about 74F (23C). I was using only fluorescent lights, and the lights were separated from the tank by a piece of plastic or glass. Also, I used small plastic blocks to raise the level of the light a few centimeters higher above the tank. I used screen lids, not solid lids (more evaporation = lower temp). I was using mostly bubble-driven filters, not electrically-driven filters. Also, the tanks that were near floor-level were noticably cooler than the ones up on stands. In the evening I would often put frozen water bottles into the tanks to lower the temp a few degrees, as it would be in the wild at night.

2. In my opinion, do not expand the land area. It is better to get the newt to be aquatic. Feed it any way you can (is he eating anything, that you can see?).

 

[joeri]

Thank you for the tips.

He (I think it's a he) does eat. But not in the water. He eats out of a plate or off my finger. He's been a good eater since day one.

The last 2 days he seems more and more intrested in the water. Probably cause his mate (I think a she) never leaves the water anymore. But he hasn't gone fully aquatic though. Most of the time he's on the wood with his tail in the water. Sometimes even his body, but never his head. I'm gonna try to feed him only in little plates filled with water. Yesterday he ate out of one that forced him to touch the water with his nose, but not have to go under. In the next few weeks I'll use bigger plates so I can increase the water level.

I hope he joins his little friend soon. She seems more happy to me as well. For a newt she's pretty active, walking around all day, taking a rest in all the plants, in every position possible. (why don't I have a camera? so cute!)

 

[joeri]

Just to keep you updated. The newt that hasn't entered the water still hasn't. But there is progress. Normally he hangs in the water with hise head above it, but on a few occasions he was totally under. The point of his nose was just under waterlevel. Also, he doesn't botter eating from a small plate filled with water. In the beginning he stared at it and only after a long time he would eat. Now he puts his head in without a doubt. Still he's not aquatic, but hopefully getting there.

The water itself is crowded with plants. I often have to look good to find the other newt. And water is refreshed every 2 or 3 days. (only 1/3)

 

[ian]

Every 2 or 3 days? Do you have a filter? If you don't that's fine, but if you have one, you should only have to change the water every 2 weeks.

 

[joeri]

Unfortunatly I don't have a filter in it. But it will come soon, cause every two days is a hard thing to do. It wouldn't have been a lot to do if I only had one aquarium, but I have 4 in total. 2 with newts, 2 with fish.

BTW: mister "Land is cool" made a little walk in the water today, but after 2 minutes he was on dry land again.

 

[joeri]

I think my newt has made it to the water for sure now. He left the landpart last night and is now 12 hours later still under water.

He made me very happy

Now the 2 newts can hang out again.

Some of my plants have grown so good that they've broken the watersurface. I had been placing him on those a few times. I guess gradualy he learned the water is ok and no danger is there for him.

Again, I'm so happy