3 Best Axolotl Aquarium Setup Ideas

You want to design an axolotl tank, but don’t know where to start. Our three axolotl aquarium setup ideas will help you find the answer.

Axolotls are among the unique fish species you can keep as a pet for hobbyists looking for something different. Axolotls are salamander species that spend their lifetime in the water.

So, they require specific aquarium care to help keep them happy and healthy. One of the most important things you will need to do before bringing an axolotl home is setting up their aquarium.

There are several ways that you can set up an axolotl aquarium. However, you will need to ensure the aquarium is of ideal size and has ideal water parameters to help keep them happy.

Setting up an axolotl tank is not as difficult as it seems with adequate knowledge.

Therefore, we came up with this article to provide some insights into different aquarium setup ideas that you can follow when setting up a new aquarium for your axies.

What Decorations Do Axolotls Like In Their Tank?

It is recommended to create an aquarium that looks similar to their natural environment.

Therefore, you should try to create an aquarium with clear and calm water, well-oxygenated has a pH of around 7, not too much light, and several plants and hiding spots.

Axolotls require a large tank, and the ideal tank for an axolotl should be up to 20 gallons. You can then add two or more hiding spots to escape bright lighting and other tankmates.

Moreover, an axolotl aquarium requires a tight lid with a lock to help prevent your axolotl from jumping out of the tank.

3 Best Axolotl Aquarium Setup Ideas

Here are some axolotl tank setup ideas that you can follow to create an ideal home for your axolotls.

• No Substrate And Have A Filter
• Have Substrate And No Filter
• Have Substrate and Have a Filter

No Substrate And Have A Filter

This is a basic way of setting up your axolotl tank. This is an ideal way to set up a baby axolotl tank as they don’t have properly developed legs.

Also, baby axolotls create lots of waste, and no substrate can make cleaning and maintenance of the tank much easier.

You can then use a filter to help remove the waste from your axolotl tank. This will help you make weekly water changes instead of daily water changes.

The type of filter you use will determine where you place it in the tank. Here are the steps involved when setting up an axolotl tank with no substrate but a filter:

• Add dechlorinated water into the tank.
• Add a filter to the water.
• Cycle the tank to help create beneficial bacteria in the filter.
• Add at least one hideout like PVC pipe in the tank.
• Add plants to give it more coverage from the light.
• Add a thermometer to the tank.
• Introduce your axolotl to the tank.
• Place a tank lid to prevent the axolotl from jumping out of the tank.
• Hook the air sponge to the air pump.

Here is a video showing how you can set up an axolotl tank with no substrate but a filter.

Pros	Cons
– It is much easier to see and remove leftover foods – Easier to maintain water quality	– It will not provide enough support for the adult axolotl to move around – It does not look very natural

Aqueon Aquarium Starter Kit with LED Lighting

Last update on 2022-12-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Have Substrate And No Filter

Another axolotl aquarium setup idea is to use substrate but no filter. A suitable substrate that you can use is fine natural sand and washed play sand.

This is because they do not pose any risk of impaction in case your axolotl accidentally swallows them.

Furthermore, fine natural sand cannot injure your axolotls. Some of the substrates that you can avoid are small gravel, rocks, and sharp sands or those containing harmful chemicals.

Here are steps that you can follow to setup the axolotl tank with the substrate but no filter:

• Add dechlorinated water into your 20-gallon tank.
• Cycle the tank for the growth of beneficial bacteria
• Add your substrate
• Add at least one hideout in the tank
• Add at least one plant to provide more coverage
• Add large rocks and pebbles bigger than your axolotl’s mouth to add a more natural look.
• Introduce your axolotl to the tank.
• Add a thermometer to the tank.
• Place a tank lid on the aquarium to prevent the axolotl from jumping out of the tank.

Here is a video showing how you can set up your aquarium with the substrate but no filter:

Pros	Cons
– Creates natural-looking scenery – Helps to provide extra grip and foothold for the axolotl, preventing stress and harm to their toes	– Harder to maintain the tank’s water quality as there are no filters – Need to change the water regularly

Stoney River White Aquatic Sand Freshwater and Marine Aquariums

Last update on 2022-12-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Have Substrate and Have a Filter

This is an ideal way of setting up your axolotl’s tank to help ensure they are healthy and active. Providing substrate will help ensure they have an extra grip to help prevent stress and harm to their toes.

The filter will help keep the water quality at an ideal level. Here are steps that you can follow to set up your axolotl’s tank with a substrate and filter:

• Add your substrate to the tank
• Fill the tank with dechlorinated water
• Cycle the tank for beneficial bacteria
• Add your filter
• Add at least a hide like terracotta pot and PVC pipes
• Add plants and big pebbles for coverage and natural-looking scenery
• Introduce your axolotl to the tank
• Place the tank lid

Here is a video showing how you can set up your axolotl tank with substrates and filter

AquaClear, Fish Tank Filter

Last update on 2022-12-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Axolotl Decoration Do’s & Don’ts

Here are Do’s and Don’t that you need to follow when buying axolotl decoration to help keep your pet safe.

Things To Have In Axolotl Tank

• Use artificial plants as it is hard for the axolotl to eat and squish them
• Add a hide in your axolotl’s tank
• Use fine sand as a substrate
• You can paint your aquarium back to give your axolotl a finished look
• It is recommended to use glass jar hides to help provide visibility while they hide
• Use a tank filter to help filter out the waste and keep the water quality at an ideal level.
• Add tank enrichments like plants, rocks, etc., to give the tank a natural look

Things To Avoid In Axolotl Tank

• Avoid using decorations with sharp and jagged edges as they can injure your axolotl.
• Avoid using porous hides as they won’t last you for long
• Avoid using pebbles, stones, and broken bottles as a substrate, as they can cause impaction.
• Avoid using decorations made with harmful chemicals that can affect the water quality in their tank.
• It is recommended not to use substrate for the baby axolotl tank to help ensure easy maintenance.

Here is a video explaining some of the axolotl decoration Do’s & Don’ts

Final Sentences

Setting up an axolotl tank is not as complicated as many people think as long as the water parameter is at an ideal level. We hope that this article serves as a guide and gives you an idea of how you can set up your axolotl tank.

You can message us in the section below if you have any questions or comments on the axolotl aquarium setup idea.