14gal tall First vivarium any advice?

[Raes24]

Houses 2 firebelly toads M/F and one un sexed firebelly newt, any plant placement advice or any at all lol

[Raes24]

yes that is petrified wood

[viva la viv]

you have all the goods there for a cool tank, just needs a little scaping Since there is no one else offering advice here is my two cents..Get some leca and raise the land add more water and use the p.wood seperate it. I would also lose the large rocks and get something darker they are stealing the eye focus. lastly, needs a few more plants but dont plant them till you have a plan that looks good to "YOU"... In the end if you are happy with what you created thats all that matters

[froggsong]

Definitely has potential... More water is definitely important. FBTs like to swim, and they will spend most of their time in the water if allowed to. They like broad leafed plants, like pothos (on land AND in the water), and they enjoy sitting on rocks that either JUST break the surface of the water, or are just BELOW the surface.

Definitely consider viva's ideas, they are good ones!

How big is this newt? Is it very slow on land like most newts? I think you should house it separately. FBTs are indiscriminate hunters, they will attack anything that moves, and they will try to eat it, even if it's too big, especially if they are going after the same food source. Now, I keep mixed tanks, and I've mixed with FBTs, but I don't think a slow, ground dwelling amphibian is the right mix there (regardless of how many people try it... A newt should live for around 6 years, you show me a person that has successfully housed the two species together for that long and I'll eat my hat...). Not trying to be critical or anything, but I must say I've never understood why people automatically think they can mix them, maybe because of the similar name? I'm not saying that's what you did or anything, I'm just rambling because I should have been in bed long ago, lol... Long story short, please evaluate whether you want to keep them housed together, I feel that it is risky.

[Raes24]

Thanks for the advice il take it all into consideration, i had about 4 inches of water but my drainage layer was soo high you couldnt really apreciate the view of the tank unless looking from above, maybe i did something wrong?? the newt is fairly small, the frogs leave him alone tho dont even try to taste him even when hes crawling on them lol i read some where that they could be house together... il be saving up for some leca, im using broken up clay pots atm xD

[beckdg]

leca isn't expensive believe it or not. that tank can be done probably for under $5. check out hydro shops.

[froggsong]

If they don't go after him, it might be just fine. Just keep an eye on them. I've kept FBTs with other herps without problems, but you have to make sure that no one might eat someone.

[Raes24]

yup definetly no fighting in my tank, just some toad lovin hahahah

[froggsong]

That's good. It's not really an issue of fighting though, more like, "OOPS! YOU'RE not food!" I've had it happen before, but without injury (usually between the toads, lol, not with toads and other critters!), but my toads weren't in with other ground dwellers, that's why I suggested caution.

[Reptile Vivarium]

Never forget about building your vivarium AROUND functionality, safety and aesthetics! This is just a friendly reminder for the sake of your pet newts.