Salamanders and newts have very porous skin — it makes them very sensitive to changes in environment (just like frogs and other amphibians). If you aren’t careful in your tank care, your pets can become seriously ill or injured.
First things first — all tanks need water. Even terrestrial tanks have water trapped in the mossy substrate and/or in shallow pools. Don’t use distilled water to fill your tanks. You can use tap water or rainwater — but either one may need to be treated or left standing to allow chemicals to dissipate. Tap water should be treated with dechlorinating tablets. Rainwater may be too acidic for use, so always check the pH before adding it to your tank. Commercially bottled spring water is usually safe, too. Pond water usually is too contaminated for use in your amphibian tank.
Water in a tank usually needs to be filtered. If you have gravel at the bottom of your tank, you can use an under gravel filter — these are even good for very shallow pools. Under gravel filters don’t create strong currents in the water like other filters can. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use other filters — corner filters with external air pumps are a good choice for smaller amphibians. Both corner filters and under gravel filters support good bacteria that will help convert the ammonia from your pets’ waste into harmless nitrates. Ammonia can be dangerous in large amounts, so you should replace about a quarter of the water every week — in addition to regular filtering.
A water test kit is a good way to keep track of the pH and ammonia levels. In general, you want the pH level to be between 6.5 and 7.5.
Most salamanders come from relatively mild, temperate climates. This means your pet will be happiest at temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You may find that the basement is the best place for your salamander tank! In the long term, it is best to set up your tank in a place where the ambient temperature will be cool enough to keep the tanks at the right temperature. For short term cooling, you can do frequent partial water changes with cooler water, float bottles of ice water in the tank, or make ice cubes from treated (dechlorinated) water to keep the tank temperate in hot weather.
Your salamanders and newts won’t need much in the way of supplemental light. Basking lights for lizards and other tank pets can be very drying to your salamanders! The normal light from a window is enough to help keep the natural light cycle going; if you have live plants in your tank, you’ll need a light source for them. Most salamanders and newts prefer dim conditions and may stay in their hiding spots when lights are on.
Last but not least, your tank will need cleaning. Avoid using commercial cleaners, as they can be dangerous to your amphibian’s skin. More often than not, just hot water is good enough for cleaning tanks and accessories.