Axolotl+limestone=?

[superfin]

Hi all:happy: I was wondering if an axolotl would be affected by a few specks of lime stone falling in its tank.









Chris:wacko:

p.s sorry for being brief on the details

 

[Abrahm]

Limestone will dissolve in water to make it both harder and more basic. I'd skip the limestone because it can result in water chemistry shifts when you do water changes. Your tap water will be softer and more acidic than the water that has been in the tank with the limestone and that chemistry shift every time you do a water change could be stressful.

 

[Kaysie]

If you had a couple chips of limestone fall in the tank, it's not going to hurt your axolotl.

 

[superfin]

OK thanks I wont worry then









Chris:wacko:


p.s I haven't got him yet so I am trying to make everything satisfactory:happy:

 

[michael]

Axolotls do better with harder water and more minerals in the water. My guess is the limestone would be a plus. Lately I've taken to adding 1 tablespoon of saltwater aquarium salt mix to each 5 gallons of water for my Ambystoma mexicanum and Ambystoma andersoni.

Of course just add salt with water changes. I met a fellow who had terrible luck because he didn't do water changes and kept adding salt to his salt water tank as he put more water in to make up for evaporation loss. The water evaporates and the minerals stay.

 

[superfin]

So I just add a table spoon of salt to the water changes?If that is right then ok.









chris:wacko:

 

[Jennewt]

So I just add a table spoon of salt to the water changes?If that is right then ok.

chris:wacko:

Note that Michael uses aquarium salt, not table salt. Also, if your tank loses a lot of water to evaporation, then the amount that evaporates needs to be replaced by un-salted water. Also, if your tap water is naturally hard, there isn't really any need to add salt.

 

[michael]

Note that Michael uses aquarium salt, not table salt. Also, if your tap water is naturally hard, there isn't really any need to add salt.

That's what I always thought too. The recommendation that I got through the grapevine was use the sea salt mix used for salt water aquariums even if you have hard water. It was recommended because of the trace minerals in the mix. The extra salt is also supposed to ward off infections. I've recently started doing this for my axolotls and Ambystoma andersoni. I think it is a good idea but have not been doing it real long.