Water height for H Orientalis?

[Revan]

I currently have a tank around 60cm high (i think it's about 12-14 gallon) and I have it approx half full, in a fully aquatic set up for 3 H. Orientalis. I have been considering using floating plants and increasing the water to possibly 50-60cm. How do you keep yours and opinions on my idea please.

 

[Azhael]

A 12-14 gallon that is 60cm high? That´s an oddly tall aquarium.
Water depth is not an issue, specially so if you have lots of plants floating freely at the surface. Take advantage of as much volume as possible as that will increase stability and make things easier and better for you and the newts.

 

[Revan]

Never get a man to estimate the size of anything!! Yea you're correct, it is 40cm. Great I'll increase the water bit by bit over the next week or so.

Thanks Rodrigo much appreciated as always.

 

[Azhael]

xD That sounds much more typical. The newts will apreciate the larger volume, you´ll see. The thermal stability and the increased buffering capacity will do wonders for you and them. I highly recommend you use huge amounts of live plants, too.

 

[AngieD]

I'll second the recommendation for live plants, not only are they great for the water quality, but they seem to prefer them.
Make sure you have some caves in there too, as orientalis like to be able to hide

 

[acbert]

I concur with Rodrigo and Angie. You can almost never go wrong with adding more plants (feeding might become slightly more of a hassle though). I have found my C. Orientalis prefers resting inside a nice patch of elodea to hiding in a cave.