Advice on axolotl.org

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ChristineWgtn

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What do other people think of some of the advice on the website axolotl.org? I used the advice on their for my tank size only to find out that you cannot fit the number of axys that is recommended their into that size tank shown on the site and also I thought after reading that site that it was o.k. to have stones in the tank as long as they were bigger than 2cm. On this forum of course that is too small. So why is the wrong info given like this on the axolotl.org website? Just want to know what people think.
 
I've also come across that problem. it says on axolotl.org that 8 axies can happily fit in a 4ft tank. when i mention that on here, i'm practically shunned..
 
I think it's not a case of it being wrong, I think it's just somewhat outdated information.

besides, most of the advice given here is practical advice learned over months and years of axie keeping, tried and tested tips and it's just what works for that particular person.
 
Axolotl.org is a very useful site, with lots of great information... except it COULD use a little update on this section. Like Chris stated, I also think it is just a little outdated.

THIS thread here was stated a few months back with the same idea.
 
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Don't get me wrong, I think it is a great site about axys but when I was first hunting out info I found it frustrating that what I thought was right with the tank size and stones wasn't after joining this forum. I had designed my tank based on the one in the picture with the info thinking that the 100cm long, 35cm wide and high tank I had made for me would be plenty of space for three adult axys, paid for the tank and now I know I can only fit two in that, a little annoyed I was. Also spent about $35.00 on stones from a pet shop that where just over 2cm long and then to find out to small, again annoyed. So at the end of the day I wish I had read stuff on the forum first before I did my tank etc.

I just think it would be a good idea that the information on tank size and how many axys it can hold should be accurate and the size on the stones changed to say they need to be bigger than head size of an axy. The picture doesn't need to be changed if the text is updated.
 
ChristineWgtn said:
I had designed my tank based on the one in the picture with the info thinking that the 100cm long, 35cm wide and high tank I had made for me would be plenty of space for three adult axys, paid for the tank and now I know I can only fit two in that, a little annoyed I was.
Click to expand...
Dont despair!:D

You can fit 3 axolotls in that tank without any problems, no matter which of the 10G-rule or a foot per axolotl-rule you want. As always though, make sure there are plently of visual barriers and hides!
 
when i mention that on here, i'm practically shunned..
Click to expand...

I've been finding this too on the forum when it comes to things like housing issues.
It's actually quite off-putting and I'm sure that it has frightened more than one person away form getting an axolotl as a pet.
And to be perfectly honest it's starting to frighten me away too.

It's true that you could keep them in an itty bitty tank, even a plastic tupperware container, and they would live.
However I don't think anyone here would permanently do that to their axies.
I think the length and size work well as a rough guide for beginners, as axies vary in size, and these are based of the averages and experiences people here have had.
Most people also don't like their tanks to looked cramped, as well as not wanting to jeopardize the water quality of the tank.
People with more experiance might be able to maintain their tanks better, as well as create setups that work with and for their axies, and could use different proportions depending on their preferences. Also some people have a lot of time to spend working on their tanks, cleaning rearranging and monitoring.

Your tank should be fine for that many, although ultimately it's up to you how many you think you could manage in there (within reasonably limits- I wouldn't go sticking ten in there, but thats just me).
 
It keeps coming up!
I agree that the stone thing needs to be changed, and quickly. I posted these suggestions on another forum as a guide to figuring out a tank, going from what I'd experienced (I hereby disclaim I've had axies for a year, including having three happily living in a 45cm tank for approximately 5 months due to the Australian summer, and I have been reading and talking my butt off about them :D I further disclaim that it is my intention to have axies and keep them in the best conditions I can until I die/merge my consciousness with the internet) :
1. Can they swim around, turn around easily, go up for air, have plenty of walking area?
2. Can they hide if they get peeved off with someone?
3. Can the filter hold the biological load of the tank and are you comfortable you will be able to do the water changes religiously? (I'd put for this one, that for an axie, you'll need to change a gallon of water out a day...?)

If the answer is yes to all three questions, you're good. Then ask:

4. Can I afford the space for a bigger tank?
5. Can I afford the cash for a bigger tank?

If the answer is yes to 4, then you get a bigger tank (Even if it means a few weeks in a big bucket or a holiday in the fridge whilst you save religiously).

It's interesting just how confronting people feel they have to be on this issue. I really hope that we can get to the point where we go; "Good start, now what you'll need to watch is:---------, and to do that you do --------, and if something goes wrong, don't panic, you need to---------. and then, When you've got the chance/space, you can get a larger tank". Providing support for new owners will give them a thirst to come deeper into the hobby, to become more complex with their habitats and to promote better husbandry practices with everyone they meet, and that can only be good!

Although, I still think yelping at the sight of gravel is justified :D
 
Caitie nailed it.

Before I continue with my post here though I must add a disclaimer. Do not be horrified by what I am about to describe!

At one point in my life, roughly ten years ago, I ended up homeless in Southern California with six adult axolotls. (Axies were still legal there back then...) My critters lived in two five gallon buckets that I lugged around with me while couch surfing and job hunting. They ate and lived better than I did. In fact, breeding and raising them on the go is what kept me alive for a few months, as selling axolotls allowed me to eat!

When I was breeding axolotls full on, I often had as many as 100 near adult specimens in every sort of container you can think of, from Tupperware to a large glass cooking pot. (In those days I was a bachelor so there was no one to complain about use of food dishes for animal husbandry.) I had more larvae than I could count rearing in just about anything that could hold water.


What I am getting at is all about work. Laboratory axolotls are often kept in small dishes that contain only a gallon of water and even less, but they are religiously cared for.

The information on the axolotl site is not outdated. (In fact it was written by the fellow that founded this site!) It just assumes that you are a fully invested owner willing to put forth the extra effort and work involved in aquatic amphibian husbandry.

In short, YOU MUST DO REGULAR TANK MAINTENANCE.(I'm not saying you don't personally.) This forum is full of posts by folks who very obviously do not take care of their water. The lack of regular water changes, testing, and cleaning kills more axolotls than disease and genetics combined.(I made that up too, but I would bet a breeding pair of GFP harlequins [which don't exist] it is close to the truth.)

As the previous poster stated, it really is a matter of what you can afford and how much effort you put forth.

I myself am the laziest keeper on the site. I have a large collection of caudates. I believe that with aquatics, like my axolotls, more water is always better. (I currently have four adult axolotls residing in two 40gall US tanks.) I do this as these tanks are much easier to maintain. I find that more water and less animals results in better, more stable water chemistry. It also saves me money on expensive filter cartridges, and allows me a bit of extra time in between water changes.

It has taken me over a decade of axolotl/caudate keeping to get to where I am at now with maintenance and chemistry Experience is the best teacher, no matter what you read. Have I had disasters? Yes. Huge disasters. (At one point I lost over a hundred axolotls alone in a 30 hour period due to extended power outtage!)

As stated before, this site, the axolotl site, and caudata culture are all stores of information based on over three centuries worth of combined experience (I am making that statistic up, but I bet it is actually higher!)


Research, research, research. That is the wisest course of action. Once you have read everything, only you can make decisions limited only by your own willingness to do work, the size of your abode, and the depth of your pocket book.
 
i agree with the above. I think people on this forum love axolotls so much that if you provide anything less than axolotl paradiese you are being cruel to the animal. When in fact they are very hardy and have been bred to survive tough situations. I think people get confused with "you MUST do this" and "it would be easier to maintain a stable environment if you did this".
 
Well that has been rather interesting reading, like I said I like the axololt.org site.

For me personal I want only the best for my axys and so I strive to achieve that. I change twenty litres of water every second day, my tank is 80 Litres in total as I don't fill it all the way to the top. I have a sponge filter in the tank which has carbon, noodles and wool in it. I change the wool and carbon every two weeks. I also have just a sponge filter that is only sponge that I rinse every two weeks. I am getting large pebbles that are bigger than the axys heads, 5-6cm wide. I have terracotta hides and also have java moss and anibus nana ( ? spelling ) in the tank. I monitor the ammonia and pH and have two temperature gauges so that I make sure the tank doesn't go above 22 degrees celcius. In winter I have a heater on so the tank temperature is consistent at around 18 degrees celcius, the heater has a heater guard on it. In summer the heater is off and I use ice packs at the back of the tank( not in the tank ) to keep the temperature below 22.

When it comes to feeding I spoil my axys with dragonfly larvae, you buy it in a can and they are moist and soft, river shrimp, again from a can, Axolotl Tucker ( fish with vitamins and mineral added ) by Hot House Turtles, wasp larvae that are brought frozen from Biosuppliers and bloodworms. Occasionally I give them Wardley Reptile Sticks that are designed for amphibians which I soak before giving to them.

So at present I have a wild type axy and I recently got a golden albino axy which is now in the tank, they are both girls. I am looking at getting a leustic axy girl to go with them. If three is too much for the tank after getting the leustic then I will rehome her to a good home.
 
It sounds like you spoil your axies, Christine!!
Just one question: Why are you changing your filters so often? You'd be killing off your bacteria, which means your tank probably isn't cycled, and if you end up getting sick/having to go away and someone takes over caring for your babies who doesn't do the changes like you do, then you're probably going to be finding some really bad water conditions when you return... Might I suggest leaving your box filter from now on, rinse it out once a month and only change the carbon? As to the sponge filter, be careful about how you wash that one out. I've crashed mine by over washing it (Which wouldn't have been a problem if the secondary system hadn't gone as well, but luckily the axies from that tank got on well with the other three :D ) Instead, try alternating them, so every two weeks, clean one, then two weeks later, the other one, and that way you won't get any disasters. Also, there's some great articles around on cycling which will go into why you should do it.

Also, unless you've got guppies and shrimp, don't bother about heating the tank, as axies evolved in a glacial lake, so close to zero isn't uncomfortable for them (My big tank this morning was at 9C, and was down to 7C earlier. It's only up in temperature you need to worry about)
Good luck!
 
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Hi there,
I don't change the noodles in the filter, I only rinse the noodles in old tank water in a bucket so that the tank doesn't need to be recycled and that the good bacteria remains in the filter. I change the charcoal and wool every two weeks to be on the safe side. The other sponge filter is gently rinsed in tank water too so that the beneficial bacteria are not destroyed.

Thanks for saying I spoil my axies, I try.
 
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