Newts in Plnted Tank with CO2

[Fei Miao]

Ehhh.... Does CO2(DIY) and fertillzer cause any detrimental effects to the Newts?

[vinz]

Done it before. No detrimental effects, but don't let the pH drop too low. I'm not too sure on this but I think it's safer to keep the pH 6.8 or higher.

The high lights will raise temperature. Newts prefer lower temp, so keep the temp 28 degrees celcius or lower.

[Fei Miao]

this happened last week....I transferred the newts to a new planted tank, one of them died after I added DIY CO2,

I suspected it was the CO2 so I removed the remaining fella back to the old tank, too afraid to leave it there in case the fella die too.

mmm... if it's not the CO2 what killed it? the tank contains only a piece od driftwood, nanas and hairgrass.

[vinz]

Maybe its the sudden change in pH, temp or other water condition. Did you acclimatise the newts?

Newts absorb alot of stuff from the water through their skin, so sudden changes in water conditions can affect their physiology.

Check the pH in the planted tank. Use KH to raise it to 6.8 or higher. Then slowly acclimatise the newt to the new tank water before transferring over completely. Take longer and more care then usual for the process.

[vinz]

Oh, I just re-read your post. You added the CO2 after the newts were already inside? I still think pH is the likely culprit. Either that or CO2 poisoning from too much CO2. Do check your pH-KH-CO2 levels.

Did you provide a piece of land for them to climb, in case the water bothers them?

If you want to avoid using CO2, then get Seachem Flourish Excel as an alternative, if it's not too big a tank. 1ml to 40l dosage. More on major water change. Does not affect the pH.

[bclee]

Vinz, I was contemplating of keeping fire belly newt but hesitated when I researched and read that it lives in environment of <20°C.

Do you encounter difficulties with them in our warm climate? Any advice if I were to keep one?

BC

[vinz]

BC,

There are a few long replies by me in the forum. Search for newts. Can't be that many threads on newts in the forum. I'll be happy to answer specific questions after you've read them.

Anyway, temp does not seem a huge issue with CFBs. The ones I have right now are in 30 degree water and they seem fine (lively and active). I read a vague reference once, that they are caught in Thailand waterways, so the ones we get might be used to warmer climates already. Don't know if its true though. More info about the local climate and newts/salamanders in the above mentioned posts.

Anyone know the ppl who import them?

[Fei Miao]

I only started CO2 about a week after I put in the newts. I didn't know newts can be affected by PH/KH, I thought only fish are affected.

the surviving fella kept climbing on the rainbar, so you're probably right, must be something in the water....or could it be the yeast mixture that somehow got into the tank..mmmm

Anyway I might go down to the farm again to get another firebelly newt, btw, r paddletails readily available?

[vinz]

No, I don't usually see paddletails around, if you do, please let me know.

Anyway, be aware that paddletails are much more aggressive, are solitary, territorial and are almost double the size of the CFB. If it does not try to eat the CFB, it is fully capable of seriously injuring or killing the much smaller and docile CFB. It may look clumsy, but I have seen a paddletail dart from stationary position across 4 inches of open water to catch a baby frog in mid-swim. Do not even put 2 paddletails together in a small tank, and always provide them with plenty of driftwood to hide under.