Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I just got a fire belly newt yeserday, and have him in a small aquarium for a while before I can transfer him nto a larger aquarium. I have an undergravel filter and an aeration rock, and the tank came with a little overead light. My newt hasn't gone into the water yet(i have dechlorinated) he just stays on top of the cork and leaves, and I was just wondering if I should be worried about this behavior. Thanks

It'll take him a couple days to get used to the tank. He may not even eat for a few days. But mine after about a week or so after i got them started taking trips into the water... now about 2months later they are almost completely aquatic.
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Later,
WhisQuila

I agree. He's probably stressed from the change of habitat. Just give him a while and he'll get used to it. If he shows any signs of weight loss or anything, he may be sick, but if he is just out of the water for a bit, I wouldn't be too concerned. Just make sure the filter doesn't cause too much of a current. Firebellies are used to having still water in the wild.

I have an aeration pump/underground filter, and it cause a lot of bbbles to come up though the pump and fill up one side of the tank with bubbles. I washed/rinsed all equipment thoroughly before putting it together, but i don't know how/why this is happening, or how to fix it. Thanks

undergravels are useless. I'd get rid of it. All they do is collect poo underneath them, meaning you have to dismantle the tank to clean it. Not only is this time consuming, but it disturbs your animals.

as for the water, if you keep it cool, and at an appropriate depth, it should go into the water in a few days.

I use undergravels all the time...they keep the water clean and aerated and they force you to thoroughly clean out the tank once in a while which is a good thing, I think. I keep fish with my Hong Kong Warty so aeration is needed. Anyway, the bubbles cause water circulation throughout the tank, but if you don't want the air to come out the sides of the filter base instead of up inside the tubes, there are a few things to check. If you have the type that has the air hose going down the inside of the tube to an airstone, try raising the hose up a little higher inside the tube so it isn't below the base of the filter. If you have the type that plugs the air next to the tube on the base, you might try one of those little air regulators in the line to turn the flow down a little until it stops. It could be that there is gravel or silicone pushing the base off the bottom at an angle. You'll have to check that at your next cleaning...