Getting a new newt

[Rays Ark]

Good day all. I am getting my first ever newt, a Chinese Fire Belly Newt from a local breeder but I have to wait for two weeks until they get back from vacation. I have set up a paludarium for him. I am assuming he will be very small when I get him so I did not want to make the water too deep. Please let me know if my setup is good enough for a young newt.

[sde]

First off, thanks for buying a CB animal!
Secondly, a picture would be very helpful. If the newt is a adult then it should be fine in deeper water, but if it is a juvenile then start with only about 1 inch of water and a lot of live plants, then increase the water level slowly over a few weeks time.
Here is a great care sheet written by a experienced keeper: Caudata Culture Species Entry - Cynops orientalis - Chinese firebelly -Seth

[Rays Ark]

Ok here is my picture or link

[Cliygh and Mia 2]

I would remove the gravel, It's an impaction risk. The newt could swallow the gravel, and not pass it, and the food/waste builds up until it dies. Also when it grows, you won't need a land area, because when they are adults they never use land

[sde]

I see you are on Caudata.org as well, so am I, I am Seth ( sde ).
Unfortunately this setup isn’t adequate for adults orjuveniles of this species. For adults is should be fully aquatic with lots oflive plants, with only a floating piece of cork bark, turtle dock, orsubstantial floating plant ( like water hyacinth or water lettuce ).
For juveniles, it should be either a terrestrial setup, or an“aquatic transition” setup, as I like to call it. In the latter you will needonly an inch or so of water, and lots of live plants. Slowly raise the waterlevel, the juveniles should become aquatic. I have a video on YouTube on how todo this.
For substrate on an aquatic setup pool filter or play sandis best, but you can also have a bare bottom tank (no substrate).
In the link provided in my last post, there is plenty ofgreat advice. That site in general has lots of great care info and advice.
If you have any further questions feel free to ask. -Seth

[Cliygh and Mia 2]

Wait, you have a YouTube channel?!? How have I not heard about it?!? I must subscribe!

[sde]

Wait, you have a YouTube channel?!? How have I not heard about it?!? I must subscribe!

Yes, sde_Amphibian Enthusiast. I only have four videos up but am working on another right now.