Question: what do i use? Gravel or sand?

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Hello everyone!
Im a new person to this entire website and i have just got my new axolotl and its beautiful!
its the first ive ever encountered but i have definately been doing my homework before i even thought of buying it.-ive had him for three weeks now!

My tank is ready to go and the axolotl is enjoying himself so far BUT i have pea sized maybe larger and i am extremley worried about him digesting some and dying :(

At the moment he seems very healthy and is moving about the tank and hiding.

So now what about sand?

Is it even more dangerous for the axolotl?
Is it cleaner?
Is it going to be better to put the food in?

Have fun posting and thank you!
 
Oh and also if i do put sand in (childrens play sand?)
when i take the axolotl out and place it in a tub will it be ok for 24 hrs whilst the sand settles?
(after filtering it and cleaning it)

What size do you reccomend for the axolotl to live in for the 24 hrs?

Thanks :wacko:
 
Hi Marcus,

Sand is great because, unlike pebbles, it offers an effectively solid surface which prevents nastiness from sinking down - making your life easier when you clean the tank. It is also small enough to be easily passed should (when) the axolotl swallows some while feeding. Food will be fine on it, too, except for wormy things, which like to wriggle down into the sand. You can always put food into a dish (a teacup, a jar, a small flower pot, etc.) and lay this on the aquarium floor; this is really effective at keeping the aquarium cleaner.

The sand cloud will not hurt your axolotls. It is only unaesthetic. The axolotls can't breathe it in - it can't get through their skin or into their lungs - so you don't have to remove them while waiting for the sand to settle (you should, of course, remove them before adding the sand).

The container for an axolotl should be large enough for them not to have to bend themselves - long enough for their whole length - and should be deep enough for them to be covered completely with water.

Hope this helps,

-Eva
 
Hi Marcus,

Playsand or pool filter sand or no substrate at all. A bare floor is by far the easiest to clean.

Good Luck
 
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