What would you do?

[Critter Mom]

I have tried 4 different set ups over the last year. Part of that was due to some ill advice I got before coming here, but I have a set up that has the 10 gallon tank filled most of the way to the top, an ornamental hide, live plants, floating live plants, a bubble type filter which has the motor out and away from the tank, and a floating cork piece. I have only had that set up like this for a couple days using a third of the same water I had in a different set up that used cycled water but more land area which used a ton more gravel and river rocks which made a slope. I was advised to tear that down and make it aquatic like I have it now so I could better control the temperature and water quality. Now the newts won't leave the cork. They look like they have been victims of a shipwreck! If I take them off of it, they panic even though the floating hornwort is there. The water and air temp is 74 degrees F. It doesn't vary much whether I have the light on or off. I have it mostly off lately. I have another post under "Newts and Salamanders" regarding what to do with the old set up "asking for reassurance".

What would you do or suggest? How do you have yours?

Thank you for any assistance,
Critter Mom

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Honestly, I think you should just give them some more time. After all, it's only been a few days if I am understanding you correctly.

My group is kept fully aquatic with a bunch of elodea. I do not have an area for them to get out of the water, I just provide enough plants for them to poke their head out of the water if they feel the need. I used to have a floating island in there for the longest time but they never ever used it.

On a side note, I am sure you have, but did you check your water parameters?

 

[xMIDNIGHTx]

I agree with Great, I think more time is needed. As long as the water quality and temperature in at a acceptable level they will return when ready. I have noticed with my C. orientalis is anytime I change the setup or moved him, he seems to get stress out rather easily and will take to the land. Even with water quality and temperature good he would still go through these fazes.

I got my little guy at a pet store when I didn't know any better which of course means he is WC. This could have to do with his habits now. I would not worry as long as they eat and the cork island remains wet, if not they sell flat pieces of cork that won't dry and won't allow the newt to become 100% dry which should help. Again give them time.

Mitch

 

[Azhael]

I agree, if temps and water quality are ok, they will eventually become aquatic.
It helps a lot to have plants in the surface. It allows them to "walk" on the surface.
If there is no support, they may be a bit scared of going into the great blue xD.
Feed them on land, but try to "trick" them into following the food into the water if possible.

Be patient, they may take a while, but once they go aquatic they´ll be happy

 

[freves]

I had some Cynops pyrroghaster a few years back in a setup similiar to what you describe. Many of those individuals would hide in the folds of the cork and seemingly never enter the water. I replaced the cork float with a smooth surfaced, synthetic turtle float and they eventually spent less and less time on the float. As the others have mentioned time is also a factor as well.
Chip

 

[Critter Mom]

Thank you. I had the big female decide she was going to go exploring apparently. She is happy to be in the bubble filter at the moment, resting on top of the removable filter cartridge and under the lightweight door. I think she likes the fact she has running water and roof over her head! She does goofy things every once in a while....

I will double check the water parameters again soon. I am going to buy my own test kit rather than having to take the water in to be tested I think.

The hornwort seems to sink some under their weight, and I think this scares them a little. They have tried to walk along it and keep their nose out of the water, but find themselves completely underwater and then panic. I am hoping they venture off the cork soon. If not, at least it is damp and I can feed them on it easy. They seemed a little afraid when getting on it because it was moving around with their movements, so if I can get a small turtle dock, maybe I should if this does not work after a while.

Are large to medium gravel and river rocks a good substrate, or do they just collect junk? I have heard about sand, but I am afraid of impaction, and how in the world do you clean sand? I have heard about gases being trapped in sand which make me think this is not good either.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Kerry1968]

I don't have experience with newts Crittermom, but I DO have experience with sand!

Sand is a much easier substrate to keep clean than rocks. The majority of any waste sits on the top of the sand which you can just hoover up with a syphon/gravel vacuum.

Every once in a while (once a week or so) you can gently stir up the sand to get any bits of dirt that have worked the way into the sand to reappear at the tip and suck them up. This also ensures you have no 'dead' areas of sand with the dreaded gas pockets.

If you have the sand less than an inch deep you shouldn't run into problems with anaerobic bacteria and gas pockets.

The fine grain of sand shouldn't be a problem with regard impaction for your newts, there are a lot of people who use sand with no problems.

Hope that helps.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Sand is the next best thing after bare bottom. With gravel, you have all the uneaten food and waste getting trapped in the cracks and crevices which just cause more issues with water quality. As for impaction, the sand is fine enough that it will pass without causing an obstruction.

 

[Yahilles]

I would say something in opposition to your needs of sterile sand - garden soil under the gravel, many plants, some light and easy you have:
-Free biological filtration - plants prefer nitrogenium from ammonia
-Better plant growth
-No need for removing dirt and wastes, because they work as a food for plants, giving them all nutrients.
All this = much easier care of the tank. And better look- you have healthy, growing plants that don't rot some weeks after buying.

 

[Critter Mom]

Thank you! All very good points to consider.:happy: