Water clarity isn't necessarily an indication that the water is chemically safe. Never use products that claim to instantly clear your water. If the water smells foul, or appears cloudy there is a reason, and masking that condition could result in illness or possibly death if not properly corrected. Check the pH and especially ammonia levels.

NOTE: Due to prolonged exposure to high/extreme ammonia levels, and/or high concentrations of iron, copper, chlorine or other metals and chemicals, your newts will become affected quickly. Illness or death can sometimes be prevented by attempting to flush the toxins from their system. This can be done by placing the newt in cool, clean water using just enough to barely cover them. Bottled water is the best, never use distilled water.

PH LEVELS:

pH is the level of acidity or alkalinity of water. 7.0 is considered neutral. Levels below this are considered acidic and above alkaline. The lower the pH, the more acidic the water becomes. The higher the pH, the more alkaline the water becomes. Extreme conditions such as alkalinity of 8.0 or higher, or acidic conditions of 6.0 or below could possibly result in death. There can be no ideal pH level, as different water supplies generate different pH levels, not to mention the fact that conditions will vary the pH as well. pH is not an important factor, as newts will adapt to the different pH levels. However, it is a factor that you should be aware of. Extreme pH conditions as described above must be dealt with using methods listed below. If necessary, always raise or lower pH naturally and never use chemicals or powders. Periodic pH readings should be taken of the water. A new set up should be checked every week for the first month, and can then be decreased to once every 3-4 weeks afterwards. pH test kits are readily available at any pet store, are easy to use and give instant results.

Example of pH and ammonia test kits.

pH applies not only for water, but to land as well. Wastes and uneaten food in a terrarium will also change the pH, and will affect terrestrial species in much the same way as aquatic species. Soil pH levels should be taken when using this material in your terrarium. Soil testers can be purchased at most garden centers.

Signs of pH stress: Stress is exhibited by unusual behaviour for that particular newt. It is natural for newts to climb and/or attempt to escape providing there isn't a water quality problem that is causing the newt to leave the area.

pH factors: Many factors can influence the pH level, causing either an increase or decrease. Waste products and uneaten food will cause the pH to lower, while removing excess waste can cause a slight increase, as can partial water changes. By maintaining a regular maintenance schedule, and by using an effective mechanical and/or biological filtration system, can help maintain a constant pH level and reduces fluctuations.

Making pH changes: pH changes should be made slowly, allowing the newts ample time to adapt to the change, as rapid pH changes will cause considerable stress. pH will fluctuate slightly and is not a concern. However, extreme and/or frequent fluctuations or extreme levels can also cause stress to the newts. If experiencing unusually low pH, and using mechanical filtration, first check the system to be sure it is functioning properly. A gravel cleaner should be used at this point to remove accumulated wastes, as well as a partial water change. When experiencing high pH levels, the safest and most effective method is to lower the pH naturally and slowly. This can easily be done by adding driftwood and rocks to the aquarium.

pH POWDERS are an alternative method used for controlling pH levels. Proper pH powders automatically buffer the pH to the level specified on the package. However, this method is best completely avoided for the following reasons:
(1) These additives cause the pH to change too rapidly which, as described above, can be extremely stressful. If determined to use this method only add 1/4 of the recommended dosage at a time, and add the remainder over the course of several hours.

(2) It is ineffective and unnecessary as well. If the pH is unusually low, this may be an indication of accumulating wastes which should be properly removed to prevent unhealthy water conditions. Unusual readings generally indicate an underlying problem and should never be masked or ignored. Using pH powders would be futile as the levels would change again within days of adding the powder, causing a stressful yo-yo effect.

The safest and most effective method of making any pH changes, increase or decrease, is described above: naturally, without the use of powders.

WATER SOFTENERS: These should be completely avoided as salt is often used to soften the water. In large doses or small, gradual doses over time, is lethal to newts. When used, the salt in the water is absorbed through the newts' skin, into their system. Due to this gradual and constant exposure, the newts will suffer over time, eventually causing death. An alternate water source is strongly recommended.

AMMONIA:

A poisonous waste excreted by newts, which is fatal at high/extreme levels. In its purest form ammonia does have a very distinctive color and odour. However, in this instance we are referring to ammonia in a diluted form, and therefore is colorless and odourless and presents a difficult problem for both aquatic and terrestrial species. Highly aquatic species release more ammonia than terrestrial species and is the most dangerous, as well as the most overlooked problem. 

Ammonia disperses rapidly and spreads throughout the water and land areas. Even though large bodies of water allow for some dissipation, this can still be detrimental to the newts' health. Small bodies of water are even more harmful, even fatal, as the ammonia will build faster. The greater the population size, the more ammonia is produced. The newts will have no way of escaping, and signs of ammonia stress will soon be visible. These signs are similar to the reactions discussed under pH. At high to extreme levels, newts will develop severe burns from the ammonia, eventually leading to death. One main disease newts can develop is commonly called "mouth rot". It is a horrible, internal disease similar to cancer in humans, and unfortunately incurable at this time.

Ammonia test kits are available at local pet stores, and ammonia levels should be checked every week for the first month of new set ups, and every 2-3 weeks thereafter. In addition to waste products, overfeeding and decaying plants will also increase ammonia levels.

Removing ammonia:

Most ammonia problems are associated with the filtration system being used. Providing you have an effective mechanical and/or well-established biological filtration system, no ammonia should be detectable. When using a less-effective filtration system which has no method of removing or detoxifying ammonia, or if using no filtration system at all, ammonia levels will be detectable. In these instances, water changes are effective, however this will not remove the ammonia existing in the water, but will only dilute it. Ammonia will still remain in the aquarium, and these levels will continuously build. The best and safest alternative is to purchase a better filtration system.

Products which claim to instantly remove ammonia such as Ammo-chips or AquaClear's Amrid Ammonia Remover are best avoided. These products merely collect the ammonia, essentially locking it together, but without a means of breaking it down, can be quite useless. Also partial water changes will only dilute the ammonia to a less harmful form. Neither method is a permanent solution to the problem. A better filtration system is strongly recommended. See Filtration.

COPPER:

At high to extreme levels this metal is extremely toxic to newts, and therefore copper piping should never be used in your aquarium or terrarium. If your house contains copper piping, it is best to let the water run for a few minutes in order to flush the standing water from the pipes and allow for clean water to come in.

Example of possible water conditioners or dechlorinators.

CHLORINE, CHLORAMINE AND IRON:

Tap water will contain these chemicals in abundance. Well water may contain levels of iron, and should also be neutralized.

The most effective method of removing the above harsh chemicals and metals from water is to purchase a bottle of dechlorinator (also referred to as water conditioner) such as Tetra's ContraChlorine Plus or Wardley's Chlor-Out, which work instantly. Check the side label to be sure the above are specified in the list of chemicals and metals that will be neutralized. These chemicals and metals are absorbed through the newts' skin, and can cause illness or death. Therefore always dechlorinate all water used. Water can also be dechlorinated by setting out in an open, plastic container for 24 hours. Avoid conditioners which contain aloe vera or products such as Stress-Coat which claim to add a protective layer. Newts already posses a protective coating, a second skin, thus making these products useless, ineffective and may cause abnormalities in the water.