Caring for Axolotl

Evil Weasel

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This is the most brilliant site I have ever seen, and I'm sure I could use it to figure this out, but I feel like posting a thread is safer and easier. I'm going to get an axolotl pretty soon, and I am mostly prepared with the tank and stuff, but I am very confused about changing water and filtration and feeding and all that. Is it possible for someone to tell me basically everything you have to do in a day to take care of your juvie axie? So, like... feeding and changing the water mostly and whatever else I am missing. Thank you so much, I want to do the best I can when I get one.
 
Phew okay.

First of all, your tank has to be cycled before you get your Axie. If you don't know anything about tank cycling, it's time to learn! Here's a resource on tank cycling:

Scales Tails Wings and Things, What is Aquarium Cycling? How to Cycle your Tank

Give it a read, don't skim!

But basically you'll need an API liquid master test kit to test your water. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are the things you have to test for often (I test my water every other day) as ammonia and nitrite are toxic to your animal. Anything over 0 is dangerous.

A cycled tank will always have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite. Weekly water changes will remove the nitrate that builds up.

As for a filter, that's where the beneficial bacteria live that facilitate the cycle! So you need a filter to cycle your tank. Filters that work for Axolotl tanks are HOB filters, sponge filters, and canister filters.


Feeding - Juvies can be feed on frozen bloodworms. You can get those at any chain pet shop. The best diet for adults is earthworms.
 
I've just recently got my axolotl and I can say you've certainly come to the right place for your advice! I've found this site an invaluable resource. I'm not sure on the specifics of keeping a juvie as I got mine a bit older, but I think my 'top tip' will still be applicable.

I have found that a major part of keeping my water parameters under control is being disciplined and thorough about removing poos and uneaten food. It can get caught in plants, in hides, under your substrate. I was amazed how quickly my nitrates went up if I left it till later, or missed a spot. But hoovering out the waste is a lot less effort than water changes! I think a lot of people use feeding jars to try and make life a bit easier.

I would also suggest putting a picture of your tank setup on the forum and getting some feedback (you may have already done this, I haven't been in that section of the forum yet today).

Good luck with your axie, you are in for a treat! Keep asking questions :happy:
 
Kaini, I've heard of the test kit when I was trying to get an axie around 6 months ago. I remember that it was like $80 I think, but I thought there was an alternative. Also thanks for the awesome help and advice, it will probably end up saving my axie's life.
 
Oh, sorry, I looked it up and it was only around $30.

Also sorry I wrote a ton of questions next paragraph-

So cycling... I don't understand really why you do it, but a summary would be putting drops of ammonia in my full tank in 20 minute increments to keep the levels at 3-4, until the nitrate levels go up to 40? Out of curiosity, how long would that take? And is that all, then my tank is ready for an axolotl? Is it alright for me to wait a few weeks after my tank is cycled to put in my axie? Do I have to do it more than once after the first time or just test the water? Sorry many questions. If you test the water and find ammonia/nitrate over 0, do you just change your water? Also, are you supposed to have your filter on during the cycling process?

Questions about other topics :D-
Do you take your axie out of its tank and put it in a tub or fish bowl or something when you change your water? If so, do you use a net to get it out or your hands or what?

How do you feed your axie? When can I start feeding it earthworms? Should the worms be alive or dead?

Oh also I will try to put up a picture of my tank in a few minutes, it has been out of commission for a few months and I have to dust it off and stuff.

So sorry for all the questions, I wanna do the best I can
 
API liquid master test kits are a little over 20 bucks on amazon :)

Okay, we need to understand cycling then - i'll do my best to explain!

1. Why you do it: Because as fish (well in this case an Axolotl) breathes/poops etc it creates ammonia in the water, kinda like when we breathe we create carbon dioxide. Ammonia is toxic to them, so in a closed system like a tank, the ammonia will build up and up and up until the animal is burning in it's own waste and it dies.

So how do we keep animals in tanks at all??? The Nitrogen cycle! Nitrifying bacteria will convert the ammonia to nitrite, then to less toxic nitrate which can be removed via water changes.

Basically the bacteria keep the water safe for our animals.

2. How to do it: Cycling takes WEEKS, i'll state that right now. The bacteria only colonize so fast, there's no way to speed it up.
You cycle your tank by adding ammonia to it(WHILE IT IS EMPTY - do not put ammonia in the tank while there is an animal in it) until the ammonia is up to 4ppm, four parts per million. You keep the levels up to 4 DAILY. You'll start seeing nitrites as the bacteria starting 'eating' the ammonia, then after a few more weeks you'll see nitrates, and when you have nitrates with 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, your tank is cycled!

Once your tank is fully cycled with 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and a nitrate reading, your tank is ready for an Axolotl.

Can I wait a few weeks AFTER cycling the tank to add my axie?

Only if you keep adding ammonia! the bacteria are living creatures and if you don't 'feed' them they die.

Do I have to do it more than once after the first time or just test the water?

Once your tank is cycled, it should stay cycled unless you do something which would crash it (kill the bacteria) The bacteria live in your FILTER so turning off the filter will kill them, etc. Removing all the water and letting the tank get dry will kill them, basically doing anything to mess up their environment will kill them. XD

You should test your water regularly to make sure your cycle is still in effect (I test my water at least twice a week).

If you test the water and find ammonia/nitrate over 0, do you just change your water?

Yes, change the water right away until the levels go below .5ppm

Also, are you supposed to have your filter on during the cycling process?

yes yes yes! So very much yes, the beneficial bacteria live in your filter media! That's their home and if it's off, you can't cycle your tank!

Also never turn your filter off once it's running. It should be on 100% of the time. always. Leaving it off for more than a few minutes will kill the bacteria.


Do you take your axie out of its tank and put it in a tub or fish bowl or something when you change your water? If so, do you use a net to get it out or your hands or what?

No, there's no need to move it. Just scoop/siphon water out of the tank while he's in there and put new (dechlorinated) water in. Obviously watch him around the siphon, I've seen axies damaged by siphons but if you mind him he's fine in there while you're doing changes. It's better to not stress him by moving him.

Though if you ever have to do a 100% change for some reason (spilled something into the water etc) then yes obviously move him to a container as he can't be dry XDDD

You can move him GENTLY with a net, but what I do is nudge him into a cup then use that to move him to a new container. You CAN lift him with your hands, but he's likely to struggle and I've seen to many horror stories of axies dropped on the floor.


How do you feed your axie? When can I start feeding it earthworms? Should the worms be alive or dead?

As juvies they're fed on frozen bloodworms- I defrost a cube then suck up the worms with a turkey baster then squirt them into the tank in front of my Axolotl. He sees the movement and noms them up! Earthworms can be fed when his mouth is big enough (when he's around 5 inches?) the worms can be alive or dead, but if they're dead they should be recently dead lol. Some axies like live worms because of the movement, but some don't because of the defensive secretion the worms emit. So to kill one you just blanch it - put it quickly into almost boiling water then quickly into cold water. This kills it without cooking it - don't cook the worm lol.


I don't mind all the questions! throw them at me haha 8> I'm glad you're doing your research! If there's something about cycling etc you still don't understand, keep asking ,I'll do my best to make it clear!
 
Awesome, I think I get it... So if I plan on getting my axie in 4-5 weeks I should start my cycling now. I the tank is not cycled when the axie is ready to ship (3-4 weeks according to the person I've been talking to) Should I wait just in case it's not ready by the time it arrives? (I'm assuming yes)

So I think I finally understand cycling, are you just preparing your bacteria to consume ammonia? The bacteria in the filter eat the ammonia and use it to contribute to the animal's well-being? Also you said above you should never turn your filter off, but I read that when you change the water you're supposed to, and of course when you're changing the filter bag thing you would have to turn it off, right?

Also earlier someone told me they use a turkey baster to suck up an axie's waste, is that a good plan? Oh, also... can I pet my axie without stressing him? :D

Thank you so much, everyone on this entire site is THE BEST, I love it.
 
Wait if you're adding ammonia how does the ammonia level get to 0?
 
Wait if you're adding ammonia how does the ammonia level get to 0?

The bacteria eat it : o Once you have an established colony of bacteria they should be able to take 4ppm of ammonia and turn it to 0 in 24 hours.

So if I plan on getting my axie in 4-5 weeks I should start my cycling now?

Yep, time to get on it! The tank shoullllddddd be cycled by then, but if it's not you should wait on the Axolotl. Axies are sensitive to water quality and going through cycles can be hard on them.

So I think I finally understand cycling, are you just preparing your bacteria to consume ammonia?

the Bacteria aren't there yet - when you set up a new tank, it's empty of bacteria. By adding ammonia you add a food source and encourage them to colonize in your tank. So you're getting the bacteria during the cycle.


The bacteria in the filter eat the ammonia and use it to contribute to the animal's well-being?

Yes? They consume the ammonia and nitrite which are toxic and keep the water safe for the animal.

Also you said above you should never turn your filter off, but I read that when you change the water you're supposed to, and of course when you're changing the filter bag thing you would have to turn it off, right?

Some people turn off the filter when they change the water, I don't personally. You can turn it off for short periods of time, but never more than an hour. Change your water fast :D

What are you planning to use in your filter, carbon? you're right, carbon has to be changed every few weeks, but changing the filter pad will crash your cycle. This is why I hate carbon - once you get the bacteria built up in the filter (3 weeks) you have to change the carbon and it ruins all that work! So I'd switch to a permanent media (filter media that never has to be changed) like ceramic rings, or sponge.

Also earlier someone told me they use a turkey baster to suck up an axie's waste, is that a good plan?

Yes! S'what I do. A turkey baster is quite the tool for an aquarist XD

Oh, also... can I pet my axie without stressing him?

I wouldn't - it's an Axolotl, not a cat xD By touching your Axie you're damaging his slime coat.

I interact with my Axolotl when feeding him - I handfeed him and let him come to me if he wants to interact... well... he tries to eat me, but XD
 
Okay awesome, I just need a little clarification on the filter... So changing my filter -Tetra whisper- will make it so I have to cycle my tank again?
 
Okay awesome, I just need a little clarification on the filter... So changing my filter -Tetra whisper- will make it so I have to cycle my tank again?


If you completely change your filter after your tank is cycled, yes you will have to cycle the tank again. Because you're removing all the bacteria.
 
That sounds hard... so a sponge filter would be a cheap but effective replacement?
 
That sounds hard... so a sponge filter would be a cheap but effective replacement?

In my opinion yes. I run sponge only in my Axolotl tank. (though the water isn't as clear as in my other tanks. Not dirty mind you - it tests fine- it's just not as visually appealing). The sponge never has to be replaced :) Sponge filters are super cheap on Amazon - you just need the sponge filter, some airline tubing, and an air pump.

You could also take the carbon out of your current filter (tetra whisper) and put permanent media in it. Same filter, just better media. In my other tanks I use regular HOB filers like your whisper, I just stuffed them with marineland ceramic rings and filter floss instead of the carbon pads they came with.
 
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Off topic but I have to say what a great explanation of the nitrogen cycle Kaini among all the other explanations! Rarely do I see people actually explain how and whys of it besides 'just do it' this site is full of great people who actually care!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Off topic but I have to say what a great explanation of the nitrogen cycle Kaini among all the other explanations! Rarely do I see people actually explain how and whys of it besides 'just do it' this site is full of great people who actually care!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you ;; I think it's important to understand why, or newer keepers will just shrug it off. It's amazing how many people who keep fish have never heard of the cycle :eek: and it's so important, it's the only reason we can keep fish in captivity in the first place!

Idk I guess I'm just passionate about nitrifying bacteria LOL. I'm glad people approve of that post though, because I spent like 30 minutes typing it up X'D I think that deserves a round of applause tbh X'D
 
I agree! You did great! *Round of applause* When I first started keeping fish years people would always act so annoyed when I was trying to learn about the nitrogen cycle.


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Yeah, totally agreed, that made a lot of sense to me and I had never heard of it before. As your signature thing says, I will let you know that you've been helpful and I will add to your reputation. You've been helpful!
 
I actually looked this morning... besides the changable filter thing, there is a little black spongish thing that I thought might also collect bacteria. This is basically what it looks like, but I found the image online.
url


Shoot... If that image doesn't show up for you this is the url http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...NxDpjBa_CuMhrhsIB9w4iSvA&ust=1395787032160080
 
The image doesn't work and I have no idea what you're trying to link to - the link goes to a list of products. ?
 
Just wanted to pop in here with this...

Freshwater Master Test Kit | thatpetplace.com

It's where I bought a large percentage of my aquarium stuff, and this was the cheapest I found the test kits going for ($15.35). Good prices, plus if you have other pets you can get stuff for them and combine shipping. Just wanted to drop that by :3
 
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