What about Trickle-Filters and U/V Sterilizers?

[Rocket Dad]

I haven't seen any mention of Bio-filters / Trickle-Filters. Does anybody use this type of filter on an Axolotl tank?

I've had good success with this type of filter in both salt and freshwater aquariums, as well as my Turtle tank and outdoor pond. I just built one for a 30 gallon Axie tank, which will hopefully, someday house 2 or 3 Axolotls. It includes a skimmer/overflow box with a sponge pre-filter. The main filter is a regular 10 gallon aquarium, fitted with mesh/sponge media over a drip plate, 2-3 gallons of bio balls, polishing sponge, and finally a power-head to pump the water back up to the tank (I would normally use a more powerful pump, but I've read in this forum that it's better to keep the flow down, as not to stress the critters). The oxygen levels possible with this type of filter are excellent.

I also have a 15 watt U/V sterilizer, but not sure if it's needed.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of set-up?

 

[Jennewt]

Sounds interesting. Can you post a photo or give link(s) to a photo of this kind of filter? I suspect it would work for axolotls - if it's good enough to deal with turtle waste, it should be great.

I've never heard of using a UV sterilizer for axies. It probably wouldn't hurt, but I doubt that it's necessary.

 

[Rocket Dad]

Trickle, Bio, or Wet/Dry Filer

Here is a photo of a typical trickle filter, also known as a bio-filter, or wet/dry filter. It's from "that pet place" website (thatpetplace.com).

Here is a link to page, with a description.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/217197/product.web

The silicone sealant is still curing in the one that I built. In about 24 hours, assembly will be complete, and I can take a photo of it.

 

[newtsrfun]

Hey Paul,

I would give you a thumbs up on that wet/dry- I just helped a freind design one for his newt tank, and its doing great. The UV, i would no use though. UV tends to do too much on a low load tank, such as a 30 gallon with only 3 axolotls in it. Just some plants, and the wet/dry would be more then enough. If you want to go crazy with the natural filtration, try putting a bunch of moss, and/or plants in the final stage of the sump, and putting a 20 watt subcompact in there, that will have your nitrates nice and low forever. May bring the ph down a bit though.

But the UV, it may in fact weaken the immune system of the axolotls over time, the really don't need it.

 

[Rocket Dad]

Thanks Jeff.

It's good to know that someone else is using this type of filtration for amphibians. Years ago, it was only used by the saltwater hobbyists. I'll take your advise and nix the UV though.

Tell me more about the moss in the filter sump. Are we talking about regular moss that grows on rocks above the water line? I have tons of it around my pond. Will it survive completely submerged under water? Or are you referring to another type of aquatic moss?

Not sure what you mean about the 20w subcompact? Are you referring to a UV?

Thanks again for the insight.

 

[Ed]

For those with the budget wet-dries will work great on aquatic amphibian tanks. Once colonized (cycled) they are more efficient at converting ammonia to nitrate. THere are a number of plants that can be used in the sump as plant scrubbers.. If you using them you may want to add a little carbon bag to the sump to pull out the yellowish color that can result from the plants over time.

Sumps are also useful if you have to place a chiller on the system as it is an easy hook-up system.

In addition to the UV doing too much they also heat the water up which is something to avoid.

The one thing I would suggest with a wet-dry setup is using one of the air cooled pumps as opposed to the water cooled ones that use the passing water for thier cooling system.

Ed

 

[newtsrfun]

Paul, java moss is what I was refering to, but amazon sword plant grows just fine fully submerged, and there are many others too. The subcompact I was refering to is just a flourescent bulb, almost any light source will cause photosynthesis. I use an outdoor light fixture(the kind that has a stake attached to it and is waterproof, with the stake removed) and I mounted that to a hook over my sump.

Plant scrubbing is really a fantastic thing, I have a 2.5 gallon tank, with 2 whiteclouds, a submerged plastic cannister with wool and an airstone, and a large ammount of java moss in it. The water quality has been perfect for months and months, I barley take any water out. The idea was to grow the moss, but the fish don't even produce enough waste to keep up with the nitrate used by the moss.

 

[Rocket Dad]

Thanks Jeff,

I bought an amazon sword for the tank.

I don't think I've ever seen java moss. I'll do a web search and check it out.

Do you know of any good mail order places to get some?

 

[Ed]

With plant scrubbing you don't have to use submerged plants, you can also use plants that grow with thier roots submerged. These may actually be more efficient in thier uptake of wastes as they have access to more CO2.
Peace Lilies (Spathophylums (spelling) are good choices for this option. They can initially be rooted in some small pots of gravel and allowed to root outside the pot to increase thier uptake of nitrogen compounds. Peace lilies also grow very well in reduced lighting situations.

Ed

 

[Rocket Dad]

Thanks Ed, I'll look those up as well!

 

[michael]

I use minireef filters on 2 of my axolotl tanks and 3 stands that I have trays running into for larvae and juveniles. They work great and take a big bioload. My first trickle filter was a 5 gallon bucket with holes in the bottom. It had foam pillow material and shotgun wadding in it. It sat in another bucket and ran great. Mostly I traded frogs for used hang on and floor model minireef filters. The big disadvantage I see is they don't work very well with salamanders that are not totally aquatic. It's hard to seal the top of the tank with them hooked up.

I used to use u.v. units but decided to go a little more natural.