What do you use as a substrate?

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gloriousspandex

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I just bought a little Axolotl. I've seen many things used for substrate; I was wondering if having nothing on the bottom would be okay. He doesn't seem to like the larger glass stones I've got him on right now [too slippery] and I refuse to use sand.
Any ideas?
 
A bare bottom tends to be stressful for axolotls. They have nothing to grip onto. Glass stones are harder to clean and gravel is a definite no-no. Sand is the best option, I'm afraid. It's good for your axies and easy to clean. Looks nice too.
 
i currently have a fine "gravel" - supposedly 1 - 2 mm diameter max.

My guys pass it no problems, but a lot of the particles look bigger than 2 mm to me, so i am changing over to a black tahitian moon sand with a new tank soon - 1 mm or less

You seem to feel pretty strongly about the sand (quote - refuse to use), do you mind if i ask why you feel so strongly about not using sand? Just curious.

Bren
 
Anything either 1mm wide or smaller, or bigger than a fully developed axie's head is fine.

Bare bottom is also ok. and it wont stress him too much if you have enough plants/decor and hides that they can walk on.
 
I've had some pretty traumatic issues with sand in the past--namely, my baby leopard gecko got impacted with it and had a very long, horrible death. It's not something I'd like to re-visit. I'll look into gravel, that should give him something to grip on.
 
HI there please avoid gravel and learn from other peoples bad experiences me being one! I was told to use 4mm gravel by both shops and all 3 of my axies swallowed the gravel but thankfully all passed them and I quickly learnt from fellow members gravel was a big no no!!

If you are dead against sand and dont like bare bottom you can use large slate tiles at the bottom of your tank, looks nice plus teh axies can grip them?? I was going along this route but didn;t due to not being able to plant plants in slate :)

Good luck
 
Please remember that leopard gecko's and axolotls are quite different. Passing sand is an easy thing for an axolotl and there has never been a case of an axie impacted with sand.

Also, if you use slate remember they are really hard to clean. I used large pebbles for a short amount of time -- the amount of gunk under them amazed me.

It is however, up to you. Just don't use gravel :)
 
My guys have a bare bottomed tank, when I had sand they moved it out of the way . Sand is ok, but I hated trying to clean it. I have seen slate used in tanks and it looks really good.You can use tiles cut to size and then just silicone them down...then the axolotl gunk will not get trapped.
 
I use gravel that is 1mm. Both my axie are ok with it, they do move it around the tank when they have their wild night parties.
 
Don't use gravel unless it is 1mm or less, which is basically sand, axolotl don't get impacted with sand, in the same way that a gecko can. it's a shame you had to go through that =[ but it wont happen again with your axolotls - unless you use gravel. This article should help with substrate.

I use sand, It's amazing.
 
I use large tiles in the bottom of my tank. It provides the ease of bare bottom, with some grip and a bit of a nicer look.
 
Have you ever thought about just using a undergravel filter? They mostly come in black. I have one that almost has a wave design on it and little holes (as opposed to large slits). You might want to lift it outta the tank every time you vacuum it and do a water change though...
 
After working with axolotls for nearly a decade, I quit using any substrate. I used to glue gravel under the bottom of the tank or a high resolution picture. Now I just spray paint the bottom exterior black.
 
You shouldn't have any problem with sand at all.

Cant comment on the Leo Gecko. I raised those on papers towels and then it was a mix of dry top soil and sand once they got older and I never had any problems.

You could smear 100% silicone to the bottom of the tank and dump some sand on it and press it in nice. Dump it all out and let it dry. You'll have the look of sand but the simplicity of bare bottom.
 
I've actually stuck some of the aquarium background onto my tank bottom as a substrate. It is the best substrate I have ever had. Easy to clean, can't be swallowed and easy to find poo and un-eaten food!!
 
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