I'm thinking about moving my Axolotl into a 30 gallon tank setup. He was very young when i got him, so I was keeping him in a 10 gallon. It's been a long time, and he has not grown... I think the size of his tank might be stunting his growth, so I am thinking about moving him into the 30 gallon... I have a few questions about maintaining a tank this size. I've never had a set-up with more than 5 gallons. (the 10-g is only half filled)

I only want to do gravel on about 1/3 of the tank (makes cleaning easier, and easier for him to eat), but I can't leave the other 2/3rd blank or he'll slip. Will plastic grass turf (often used for box turtles and patio's, that stuff) work, or will it irritate his feet?

Since there will only be about 6 inches of water, are there heaters that can be set at the bottom?

I thought about it, and decided that I should only use an filter/air pump for half the day or so. Will that provide him with enough oxygen?*

Is it any harder to maintain the chemicals and such in a 30g than in a 10g?

Also, since there is a lot of space, do you think he would bother an aquatic frog? I know it his 10g he would, because of space restrictions. This is a 30g long, not high.

Thanks.
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*I thought about it, and decided that having an air pump in a tank with any animal that can hear, all the time, is probebly cruel. The air pump annoys me from the other end of teh room. I I put my head up to the tank, it's horribly loud.. And if I was exposed to that, from IN the water, 24/7, I'd go insane. I am pretty sure most fish and Axolot's can hear things, so I thought that might be cruel. Since I don't know how to tell the amount of oxygen in the water, the air pump in on all the time and the filter is on about 6 hours a day, but I'd like there to be at least a few hours where he can have quiet. if you'd like to share your views on this, feel free.