1.5ft Vivarium for Fire-Bellied Newts

**Merviso** · 8th Mar 2008, 00:25

Hi stormhawk, thanks... it's never too late for good advice!

Actually, I will be very happy to see the newts becoming a good hunter!

However, seems to me that they really can't be bothered... and in fact only 2 out of 6 will go into the water anyway. The cherry shrimps are actually multiplying in the tank and they don't seem to be intimidated by the newts.

I don't seem to have good luck with guppies in this tank. The guppies usually dies very soon, especially when they try to nib the newts. Guess they dies from poisoning.

I had tried earlier with Clown Killie too! They are doing better than the Guppies, but the lack of water volume also means that there are not enough hiding place from the alpha male.. Except for the alpha male, the rest die from stress and sickness one by one. For my next vivarium, I will make sure that there are more water volume, at least one third height of my tank.

Goby is another fish that has done well in this tank. But when I introduce the Clown Killie, the goby got interested in them and I end up transferring the Goby to another tank.

I'm still having no good idea what plants to put on the wall... I'm not good with plants. Maybe you can suggest some suitable plant for me..

Cheers!

**stormhawk** · 8th Mar 2008, 04:59

Bromeliads I guess, those airplant you can get from local sites like tillandsia.com.sg

They use some sort of hot glue to attach the baby plants to different surfaces. Problem arises when the part of the plant that is attached to the surface via the glue starts to rot, then the attaching factor is gone. Should be pretty easy for you. Other option is to use those hanging fern and attach them to the artificial background. Still, if you prefer the current look, it works too. Less work to clean..

I figure Wild Ginger, or one of the vivarium folks will have better suggestions.

**Merviso** · 8th Mar 2008, 12:20

I remembered reading somewhere that airplants may not be able to take the high humidity inside Vivarium, maybe I should research more.

Wild Ginger is the master of vivarium plants here, too bad he has been too busy recently.

I will be doing a walk around to collect plants for my Emmersed Plants Tank later, hopefully I can find something suitable to put up there.. Thanks again..

**Twigster** · 15th Nov 2011, 22:55

Merv,

For this vivarium did you have underwater filtration?
And how do you feed them the mealworms and tubifex worms? just drop in the water? placing at a specific position? currently hand feeding mine.
You're like my shifu!
Thanks!

**Merviso** · 16th Nov 2011, 00:16

Hi Chris, wow, this thread is really very very long ago...

I'm using Eden 501 filter for this setup too.... The bamboo pole was there to hide the inlet tube, while the outlet tube was position to spray water onto the Egg Crate with Ceramic rings to create a fountain effect... Was trying to create a moss wall then, but not very successful...

I use pincers to grab the mealworms and tubiflex worms, and bring them right in front of the Newts so that they can smell the food... When they are in the water, I just drop somewhere near them and they will do the rest....

**cdckjn** · 16th Nov 2011, 12:14

Perhaps a updated of your tank will be great. Also I am interested to know if your "fauna" is paddeltail or the Japanese type. I have reasons for asking this question. Thanks.

**Merviso** · 16th Nov 2011, 16:05

Hey cdckjn, this is actually my 2nd Vivarium setup... I'm now already in the 5th version... So this setup has been long decommissioned...

and this my old photo then of my newts:

**eddy planer** · 19th Nov 2011, 09:13

Wow Merviso!!

So happy to see another palu masetro arise!!!

This will encourage and poison more newbies to take up viva/palu hobby! We can even learn whatever new idea ,new concept and new drive to inject this vivarium section AND will becoming more sexy! Yipee!

Merviso ..I must say "MORE! MORE! MORE!"

**Twigster** · 19th Nov 2011, 09:55

Merviso, pic's of your 5th gen vivarium please!

**cdckjn** · 20th Nov 2011, 18:46

are you still having the newt? I have only one, and looking for some to keep it accompany. If yours is still around, I can sell you mine as it is so lonely.

**Merviso** · 20th Nov 2011, 19:19

haha...Eddy, no lah... It's been a long while since I last setup a tank, and it's all for small compared to your masterpiece...

Twigster, my 5th gen is just like a normal fish tank setup, nothing much to show leh... only left 2, and they are both full aquatic ... IMHO, full aquatic newts fares better than those staying on the land, maybe because of our climate...

haha, cdckjn, I'm still waiting for your story.... I'm left with 2 now... 100% Aquatic... Din bother me much... =)

**issacyeo** · 28th Nov 2011, 08:10

very nice setup. any updated photos of ur 5th gen vivarium to share? btw, where can i get these newts?

**Merviso** · 28th Nov 2011, 21:34

issacyeo, my 5th Gen very simple setup.... really nothing much to show..... You actually need some luck to be at the right place and at the right time, have not seen them for quite a while...

**cdckjn** · 29th Nov 2011, 08:39

if you really want the paddletail newts, go visit some LFS during the weekends, they do sell them, a pair of only $8. I will not tell you which one, but I know they almost bring in several bags of these every weekend. Good Luck hunting.