Question: Ammonia is either far too high or test is wrong?

[j42echo]

Hi,

I have just tested the levels in my axies tank, and everything is fine, apart from the ammonia. It is coming out a far too high- at 4.0. I don't know how, I have been doing weekly water changes. Is it possible that the test is wrong? What do I need to do? I am so worried right now

 

[auntiejude]

How big is your tank, how many axies do you have in there, how long have you had it and did you cycle it before you put your axies in?

That level of ammonia will kill an axie in a very short space of time, you need to do a 90% water change immediately.

 

[j42echo]

How big is your tank, how many axies do you have in there, how long have you had it and did you cycle it before you put your axies in?

That level of ammonia will kill an axie in a very short space of time, you need to do a 90% water change immediately.

Thanks for you help :happy:.The tank is 60cm long and 30cm tall and wide. There is one axolotl in it, I've had it for 3 months and it was cycled before I got my axie.

I got her out of the tank once I found out how toxic it is, she's in a tub until I can get this sorted out and I can tell how stressed she was in the tank now. Her gills were really curled forward, but she's straightened them out now.

 

[j42echo]

I've done a large water change and the ammonia is now at 2.0. My axie is still living in the tub, will she be okay until I can get the ammonia under control? I only did the water change a few hours ago, so I don't know if that's enough for an accurate test. Would she be okay in the tank or should she just stay in the tub? Do I just do daily water changes for now?

 

[auntiejude]

Yes, a tub with daily 100% water changes if fine in the short term. Ammonia needs to be under 0.5 to be safe, and 0 when the tank is fully cycled, so it sounds like your cycle has crashed. Re-cyle your tank (fishless cycle) before you put your axie back in.

 

[j42echo]

Yes, a tub with daily 100% water changes if fine in the short term. Ammonia needs to be under 0.5 to be safe, and 0 when the tank is fully cycled, so it sounds like your cycle has crashed. Re-cyle your tank (fishless cycle) before you put your axie back in.

Thanks a lot :happy:

 

[j42echo]

Should I take our the sand to start the cycle? My axie is now In a 45x35cm tub, but she is not eating. Is this just because she is getting used to the change?

 

[Ange]

No, the bacteria needed for the cycle is mainly found on the surface areas of the aquaria, the sand, plants, ornaments & especially in the filter medium. You could even keep or add a poop or two from your axolotl to the cycling tank to help the process along, mush it up near the filter to seed it. Perhaps your axolotl is not eating because of the stress of the moving, I am unsure, depending on age & health it is ok to miss a few feeds without too much worry.