what to do with a little 10g

MsPuff

aquaholic
May 28, 2008
156
0
0
40
Saint John, NB Canada
I have a 10g sitting around and i'm wondering what on eath I could do with it, I already have 3 fish only tanks and want something different. I have some experience with geckos, but I want something in a wet/dry sertup I think.
 
Shrimp?
 
I've wanted shrimp forever, but alas, cant get any in my area. lfs won't even special order for me :( maybe a newt or salamander of some sort? I'm looking for something pretty low tech.
 
Lizards are cool; how about an exotic frog?
 
Smaller newts, like firebellies or red-spotted, work fine in a 10 gallon. They're fun little guys. Just give them water that's not too deep, some cover, a place to get out, gentle filtration, and consistently cool temps (below 70 F) and they'll be happy.
 
that sounds good, I don't want to have to go out and buy much, with a newt I wouldn't ahve to go get a heater. Temps in my house as seen with my snail tak range from about 68-72 and the 72 is on a hot day when i forget to close my blinds. how many could I get in the tank and would an aquaclear 10 hob be gentle enough filtration?
 
I think an AC10 would be fine; if it splashes a lot, place some decor to muffle the splashing. I'd say three newts would be a good number in a ten gallon.
 
I'm thinking a diy waterfall. I live near the ocean so I can get some smooth rocks for building material and some aquarium safe silicone to hold it all together. I can put it under the filter and my tank would be half paludarium half serenity fountain, then lots of plants and playsand for substrate. I can see it already :) I'll have to get some mesh for a cover though to avoid escapees.


I'm guessing meal worms and crickets for food for these guys right? I don't know a lot about them. I may build a little box in my basement to culture some earthworms as well.
 
Sounds like a good setup!

Most newts will readily take prepared pellets. Mealworms and crickets are OK for occasional treats, but not at all necessary. Small earthworms and guppies and live or frozen inverts like bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, scuds, krill, etc. are better.
 
oooohhhh...I just did some research and tehre are several species of newts and salamanders native to my area, come to think of it i remember finding red backs when i was a kid and out playing in the dirt. I may dig up a little more info and see if i can find on or two of any of these species:

Blue-spotted Salamander
Yellow-spotted salamander
Dusky Salamander
Two-lined Salamander
Four-toed Salamander
Redback Salamander

I would love to have a native amphibian tank :)

maybe penny toads would be next. I'm all excited now, but i have very little time as fall is fast approaching so i'm off to research habitats then get my old sneakers on and head outto the closest marshland. of course I'll make sure that noe of these are endangered first.
 
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