Confused

[Samson325]

Hi so im gonna tell you my story and hope you can help...i bought a tank a month ago and started cycling it. I cycled with gold fish for about a week took my water to the pet store and they tested for me told me i was good and ready for my Axie so BOOM i got an axie....his name is Samson well i got him home hes about 6-7 in long and ive gone into groups in fb (have a wonderful person helping me but i feel like im bugging her) well yesterday morning i got up and came to check on Samson he was RED my problem with that is he is Albino and i havent seen him look like that so luckily yesterday was my water change day and i did and I did a parameter check (posting pics of water checks and Samson will be in order of story)
So my friend says your tank didnt finish cycling!! So i took him out put him in a container overnight woke up this morning did a water change and rechecked my parameters i see its not as good...i did buy a seachems alert thing and the ammonia level on that does NOT match my ammonia level as my testing kit which to believe?
Do if anyone can help me out...im not sure where to go from here

 

[Monkeybeth]

It will take some time for your system to catch up, it is a process. I would recommend a water change and try to drop them temperate a little bit. Taking a water chem so soon after a chemistry analysis will not give the beneficial bacteria enough time to process the ammonia/nitrite in the system. Focus on the first reading and try to reduce the metabolism of the axolotls with the temperature. Recheck in about 1-2 weeks. As long as you tap water dose not have ammonia and nitrites doing a 10% water change a week will only help, just keep the temp low (~68-60 F).

 

[MnGuy]

It can take several weeks to a month to cycle a tank. Please don't cycle tanks with live fish. Use bottled bacteria or use filter media from a friend's tank that has been running already.

 

[Samson325]

It can take several weeks to a month to cycle a tank. Please don't cycle tanks with live fish. Use bottled bacteria or use filter media from a friend's tank that has been running already.

Please read the entire post so that your comment will help. Thanks

 

[Samson325]

It will take some time for your system to catch up, it is a process. I would recommend a water change and try to drop them temperate a little bit. Taking a water chem so soon after a chemistry analysis will not give the beneficial bacteria enough time to process the ammonia/nitrite in the system. Focus on the first reading and try to reduce the metabolism of the axolotls with the temperature. Recheck in about 1-2 weeks. As long as you tap water dose not have ammonia and nitrites doing a 10% water change a week will only help, just keep the temp low (~68-60 F).

Please please read the entire post so that your comment will be helpful ive already done thag and the post says so

 

[Murk]

OK, so, your tank is not cycled.

I read the post - I know the people at the pet store said your tank was cycled, but they were wrong.
It's very unlikely that the tank would be cycled in a week. Even more, you have ammonia and nitrites, but low nitrates - so no cycle. The other two responses try to help with getting your tank cycled this time. Don't listen to the people at the pet store, and get the tank cycled properly.

You can get your tank cycled with the axolotl in it. You'll just need to do more water changes, which means cycling the tank will take longer (several weeks at least). As long as you change the water whenever the ammonia and nitrites get too high, your axolotl should be fine, and you'll get a steady but slow cycle going.
The redness isn't necessarily a problem - could be just excitement. On the picture he doesn't show other signs of stress. Keep an eye on the water values and you'll be fine.

As for which test to believe, I'd think the API test is more accurate than a small "alert" sticker - though the alert can be a good indicator for extreme values, it likely doesn't hold the same level of accuracy.

 

[Samson325]

OK, so, your tank is not cycled.

I read the post - I know the people at the pet store said your tank was cycled, but they were wrong.
It's very unlikely that the tank would be cycled in a week. Even more, you have ammonia and nitrites, but low nitrates - so no cycle. The other two responses try to help with getting your tank cycled this time. Don't listen to the people at the pet store, and get the tank cycled properly.

You can get your tank cycled with the axolotl in it. You'll just need to do more water changes, which means cycling the tank will take longer (several weeks at least). As long as you change the water whenever the ammonia and nitrites get too high, your axolotl should be fine, and you'll get a steady but slow cycle going.
The redness isn't necessarily a problem - could be just excitement. On the picture he doesn't show other signs of stress. Keep an eye on the water values and you'll be fine.

As for which test to believe, I'd think the API test is more accurate than a small "alert" sticker - though the alert can be a good indicator for extreme values, it likely doesn't hold the same level of accuracy.

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[MnGuy]

Please read the entire post so that your comment will help. Thanks

I read your post. Your tank was not cycled and the pet store lied to you. I suggested using filter media from cycled tank, which can still help your tank. You can add it now and the added bacteria will help cycle your tank. You have a poor attitude about people offering you advice, the biggest of which is you need to do your research in advance next time.

Redness is a sign of ammonia poisoning. I doubt your axolotl is just "excited."

Good luck.

 

[Murk]

Redness is a sign of ammonia poisoning. I doubt your axolotl is just "excited."

I must agree with this (though I'm sure you'll agree the picture doesn't look all that bad yet?)

 

[Samson325]

Thanks for the advice