Axolotl bacterial growth

[Kevinjr0208]

kh-40
gh-30

what unit of measurements is this? ppm? I use deg

Ppm yes

 

[looie_808]

kh should be 30-60
gh should be 70-140

this could be a significant factor in the fungus.

 

[wolfen]

both kh and gh are very low and is bad for axolotl health, your kh is 2.23° ideal is 3° - 8° higher being better, your gh is 1.67° ideal being 7° - 14° again higher being better.

 

[Kevinjr0208]

both kh and gh are very low and is bad for axolotl health, your kh is 2.23° ideal is 3° - 8° higher being better, your gh is 1.67° ideal being 7° - 14° again higher being better.

So what is the best way or easiest way to raise the levels?

 

[looie_808]

Seachem Equilibrium is the best option. I get it off Amazon. Wonder shells work too but they take a while to dissolve. Same as the salt just mix it in a bucket until it dissolves before adding it to the water. It will make the tank cloudy for 24hrs but it clears up shortly.

 

[looie_808]

The good news is I think we have found the source of the fungus.

 

[Kevinjr0208]

The good news is I think we have found the source of the fungus.

So use seachem equilibrium and the 2.5 cups of API aquarium salt together

 

[Kevinjr0208]

So use seachem equilibrium and the 2.5 cups of API aquarium salt together

I just ordered the Seachem Equilibrium and it’s going to arrive Wednesday

 

[looie_808]

So use seachem equilibrium and the 2.5 cups of API aquarium salt together

Yes. That's what I do for my tanks and have had no issues. Id also recommend a salinity refractometer off Amazon. That way you can monitor the salinity levels accurately. Remember, no more than 15%. Some are expensive but I found a non digital one for 12$. It works great.

 

[Kevinjr0208]

Yes. That's what I do for my tanks and have had no issues. Id also recommend a salinity refractometer off Amazon. That way you can monitor the salinity levels accurately. Remember, no more than 15%. Some are expensive but I found a non digital one for 12$. It works great.

Do I do the equilibrium every time I do water changes too? Or every 2 weeks like the salt

 

[looie_808]

You might have to do it every water change at first but after a few weeks it wont be necessary. Monitor the levels with a gh/kh hit.

 

[wolfen]

2.5 cups is to much and brings the salt level up to over 5 grams per litre which is higher than using 100% holtfreters.
to bring the salt level up to the around the same as 50% holtfreters 1 cup of salt dissolved into the water should suffice, every time a water chance is performed the salt needs to be replaced to stop fluctuations, ie.. 25% water change equals quarter cup, 50% water change equals half a cup.
Seachem Equalibrium is designed to replace minerals for plants, the potassium is too high for an axolotl tank, if you are going to use one of the Seachem range then Replenish would be better suited.
minerals and salts need to be used at all water changes to keep the water balanced.
making holtfreters is cheaper and more accurate and I believe there is even a youtube video online on how to make.

 

[Kevinjr0208]

2.5 cups is to much and brings the salt level up to over 5 grams per litre which is higher than using 100% holtfreters.
to bring the salt level up to the around the same as 50% holtfreters 1 cup of salt dissolved into the water should suffice, every time a water chance is performed the salt needs to be replaced to stop fluctuations, ie.. 25% water change equals quarter cup, 50% water change equals half a cup.
Seachem Equalibrium is designed to replace minerals for plants, the potassium is too high for an axolotl tank, if you are going to use one of the Seachem range then Replenish would be better suited.
minerals and salts need to be used at all water changes to keep the water balanced.
making holtfreters is cheaper and more accurate and I believe there is even a youtube video online on how to make.

So your saying do hertfreters and replenish in my case?

 

[wolfen]

So what is the best way or easiest way to raise the levels?

kh is increased be adding carbonates ie.. bicarbonate of soda, gh is increased by adding soluble minerals ie.. calcium, magnesium.

 

[wolfen]

So your saying do hertfreters and replenish in my case?

replenish is closer to the minerals that holtfreters provides, additional salt is still needed to be added as well as the amount in replenish is quite low.

 

[Kevinjr0208]

replenish is closer to the minerals that holtfreters provides, additional salt is still needed to be added as well as the amount in replenish is quite low.

So I will get replenish and do a quarter cup of salt every water change…is that right?

 

[wolfen]

So I will get replenish and do a quarter cup of salt every water change…is that right?

yes

 

[Kevinjr0208]

yes

Thank you

 

[Kevinjr0208]

Thank you

One last question…for the salt is it best to use API Aquarium Salt or Morton Non-iodide salt?

 

[looie_808]

2.5 cups is to much and brings the salt level up to over 5 grams per litre which is higher than using 100% holtfreters.
to bring the salt level up to the around the same as 50% holtfreters 1 cup of salt dissolved into the water should suffice, every time a water chance is performed the salt needs to be replaced to stop fluctuations, ie.. 25% water change equals quarter cup, 50% water change equals half a cup.
Seachem Equalibrium is designed to replace minerals for plants, the potassium is too high for an axolotl tank, if you are going to use one of the Seachem range then Replenish would be better suited.
minerals and salts need to be used at all water changes to keep the water balanced.
making holtfreters is cheaper and more accurate and I believe there is even a youtube video online on how to make.

Astro respectfully disagrees.

I do my calculations purely on percentages of salinity in the water. I took a gallon jug and figured out how much it took to bring it to 5%. Multiplied by the size of tank. Then do teaspoons to cups.

Honestly both ways probably work. Ive just never used holfreters.