[Axolotls & Tank Setup]

Okay, I've been trying to figure out what sponge filter to go with.  Opinions vary widely.  Some say fine some say coarse.  From what I understand the fine sponge allows for more surface area for bacteria and also does a better job cleaning.  I know the co op seems to lean toward coarse.  I'm leaning towards the hydro pro fine sponge filter.  Whats some other thoughts on these?

[Axolotls & Tank Setup]

Purchased everything I needed to get this bad boy going.  Pump, filters, substrate etc.  I'll likely pick up some plants in a week or so.  I'll give it a month or two to cycle and then look into axolotls and tank mates.

[Axolotls & Tank Setup]

Update:  Petco canceled my order out of the blue and I was unable to get the majority of my supplies including the tank.  Thankfully I had been watching facebook and craigslist.  A 75 gallon two tank setup with lights, pump, and filters popped up.  Amazingly the owner was a breeder getting out of the hobby and was willing to trade it all for an xbox.  Feeling pretty dang lucky right now.

 

 

[Axolotls & Tank Setup]

Or how about a controsoil layer covered by sand?

[First Time Axolotl Owner]

Thank you both.  Irene!  I'm watching your videos non stop!  lol

Some news.  I spoke with the owner and the Axies are 1 1/2 years old.  It's possible he's been under feeding them by only doing it every three days.  People on facebook telling me they they're too small for their ages at 6 and 7 inches.  Is this something they can bounce back from or has their growth been stunted at this point?

[Axolotls & Tank Setup]

Thank you all for the information.  Do you think a gravel/sand combination would work best for a planted aquarium?  I was thinking that in areas I will have plants I can build up the gravel and then lay sand over that.  It would essentially look like a sand substrate but have the advantage of gravel under the plants for better root growth. 

[Axolotls & Tank Setup]

Hmm, thats too bad.  I watched a number of videos with people planting them with no problem.  Is there a substitute?  I'm looking for a low lying plant that would make a grassy area across half the tank.

[Axolotls & Tank Setup]

They sort of suck in their food and can ingest gravel mostly.  Sand is generally okay.  They don't tend to munch on the plants from what I've read but can uproot them by accident.

 

[Axolotls & Tank Setup]

So I'm a first time Axolotls and tank owner. I'm not completely unfamiliar with either and I've been doing a lot of research. I thought I would start this thread to get your impute and the various aspects of what I plan to do. I'm shooting for a planted aquarium, sand substrate, and two smallish sponge filters. Here's a crude little drawing I did for placement:

 

Tank

40 Gallon Breeder

Aquaneat Full Spec Light

Tetra Whisper Pump

3x6 Sponge Filter x2

Caribsea Sunset Gold Sand

Driftwood Hides

API Test Kit

Dr Tims Ammonium

Prime Water Conditioner

 

Plants

Rotala Rotundifolia

Red Ludwigia

Marimo Moss Balls

Red Dwarf Lily

Java Moss

Double Leaf Water Grass

 

I'm just spit balling with the plants. I know it'll be low lighting but I do plan around six hours of light a day. I'm not entirely sure how horrible my choices are. I just know I want to brings some color into the tank and would rather stay away from solid green everything. Any alternatives if I'm wrong with some of these?

[First Time Axolotl Owner]

Hi, I'm Thomas and as the title suggests I'm a first time axolotl owner.  Well, I will be sometime this week.  I'm not unfamiliar with fish and amphibians since my family has owned a variety over the years.  I became interested in them through mutual friends.  So I joined the forum to so I could be as prepared as possible.

 

Here are the lil guys I'll be getting: