Cycle Crash

[Pebble6852]

with your tap water being 7.4 your tank ph should be fine once normal water changes resume after cycling.

Hello, so I have been testing as usual. Good news, ammonia went from 4 to .5 today! However, I tested his nitrates and it read around 20. Yesterday nitrates were 80-100 and I have NOT touched his water or done any changes in fact I haven’t even been home. I did another test and it came out the same? The test is not old it expires in 2027 and I’ve been doing this test every day since I got him with no issue.

 

[wolfen]

a bit strange concerning nitrates, are you testing with liquid test or stick test?
what is the ph level?
is there an air-stone in the tank?
if you have sand in the tank go through it with a fork to release any gas build up.
keep an eye on the nitrites, what are the levels?

 

[Pebble6852]

a bit strange concerning nitrates, are you testing with liquid test or stick test?
what is the ph level?
is there an air-stone in the tank?
if you have sand in the tank go through it with a fork to release any gas build up.
keep an eye on the nitrites, what are the levels?

I’m using the API liquid test kit. There is an air stone in the tank. I just did my nightly level checks, ammonia is down from 4 to .25, and nitrates are still around 20 even though I never did a water change. I hadn’t been checking nitrites because I assumed they were being converted since my nitrate was rising every day. Nitrites are at 5ppm. pH is 7.8 ps I’m sorry to keep adding more and more but I was changing him to his new tub and I just noticed this white spot on his gills, could that be an infection?? I’ve been swapping his water every single day sorry the photos are bad it’s on the underside of his gills so it’s hard to get a photo.

 

[wolfen]

due to axolotls being a slight brackish animal some are susceptible to issues including fungal without slight water salinity, 2g/l salt should remove and prevent most fungal infections as well as making the water more suitable, the can be increase to 3.4-3.5g/l although it is always best to house an axolotl in 50% holtfreters solution (preferably with 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate).
it might be best to try a different nitrate test as it is possible for nitrates to reduce but not that quickly, make sure that there is enough bio-filtration to cope with the nitrites as well as the ammonia although at least 50% of nitrites are being removed (1ppm ammonia = 2.7ppm nitrites = 3.6ppm nitrates)

 

[Pebble6852]

due to axolotls being a slight brackish animal some are susceptible to issues including fungal without slight water salinity, 2g/l salt should remove and prevent most fungal infections as well as making the water more suitable, the can be increase to 3.4-3.5g/l although it is always best to house an axolotl in 50% holtfreters solution (preferably with 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate).
it might be best to try a different nitrate test as it is possible for nitrates to reduce but not that quickly, make sure that there is enough bio-filtration to cope with the nitrites as well as the ammonia although at least 50% of nitrites are being removed (1ppm ammonia = 2.7ppm nitrites = 3.6ppm nitrates)

So I looked it up and I think his filter is a marina S15 and he is in a 20 gallon. His ammonia is going from 4 to .25 each day now, would my filter be able to handle it if I reduce it from 4ppm every day to 2 instead? If I’m being honest I’m a little tight on money atm and would like to avoid buying a whole new filter if I can. I will if I need to though. I’ll also have to buy more ammonia if I have to add 4 every day until it’s fixed. as for the salt, can I just add any iodized salt or do I need marine salt or anything? Especially if I have to re-add it every time I swap his tub water if I could get something cheaper but effective for now until I can get him back in his tank that would be nice.

 

[wolfen]

iodized salt or any salt with iodine in it cannot be used under any circumstances, unrefined himalayan/marine/sea can be used as can any salt that doesn't contain iodine (obviously low salt can't be used as it isn't pure sodium chloride)
at a push it can be cycled at 2ppm ammonia but there is no guarantee that there won't be issues with water parameters later on.
the marina is for a 15 gallon tank which is way too small a filter for an axolotl 20 gallon tank, filter needs to be for a 40 gallon minimum ideally 60.

 

[Pebble6852]

iodized salt or any salt with iodine in it cannot be used under any circumstances, unrefined himalayan/marine/sea can be used as can any salt that doesn't contain iodine (obviously low salt can't be used as it isn't pure sodium chloride)
at a push it can be cycled at 2ppm ammonia but there is no guarantee that there won't be issues with water parameters later on.
the marina is for a 15 gallon tank which is way too small a filter for an axolotl 20 gallon tank, filter needs to be for a 40 gallon minimum ideally 60.

Wow okay I had no idea, I thought I would just need to upgrade maybe to an S20. I’ll look for filters today. Would it be best to just try and get a marina for a 40 gallon so I can put the filter pads I have already in there? Or is there another filter that is better like a sponge filter or something? I can get a filter now from my pet store but it’s not the same brand, will the old pads fit in it or are they brand specific? I definitely don’t wanna screw my cycle up by removing my filters like I did last time

 

[wolfen]

I did find a youtube video where a s15's media is altered which makes it cheaper to run (ie.. not having to keep buying media) and with some adjustment should work fine with the size of tank (this will mean placing the pads from the filter into the tank to allow the bacteria to migrate to the new media.
video here..

because of price I would be inclined to either replace purigen with activated carbon or just use the area for additional bio-media ie.. fluval ceramic rings.

 

[Pebble6852]

I did find a youtube video where a s15's media is altered which makes it cheaper to run (ie.. not having to keep buying media) and with some adjustment should work fine with the size of tank (this will mean placing the pads from the filter into the tank to allow the bacteria to migrate to the new media.
video here..

because of price I would be inclined to either replace purigen with activated carbon or just use the area for additional bio-media ie.. fluval ceramic rings.

Okay! I could do that. Would this be preferable to buying a new filter? I do like the idea of not having to replace filter pads. Since my last post, my parents did offer to help me buy one of the fancy canister filters but I don’t know how necessary those are. I’m heading to the store now so I can look for the fluval and some filter sponge if that will be sufficient.

 

[wolfen]

in the long run it is easier and a lot cheaper, especially when an axolotl can live for 10+ years.

 

[Pebble6852]

in the long run it is easier and a lot cheaper, especially when an axolotl can live for 10+ years.

Okay, thank you for all the advice, I just want whatever’s best for him. In that case I just picked up some API aquarium salt for his infection, and I’m getting the bio rings and bags right now. I also got some filter pad from seapora brand as that’s all that had that wasnt the special fluval bio pad but if that’s not the right stuff I’ll exchange it.

 

[wolfen]

it doesn't matter whether it's a named brand or not provided it does what it's mean't to do.

 

[Pebble6852]

it doesn't matter whether it's a named brand or not provided it does what it's mean't to do.
In that case I have everything I need! The bio max and sponge. Do I just float the old filters in the tank or do I need to shake them off or anything? And should I just keep adding ammonia as normal or wait a day. I also have some leftover bacteria start if that helps

 

[wolfen]

put the old pads/filters into the tank squeezing them every now and then to allow water to flow though (may get a bit cloudy but nothing to worry about) then leave them to float/sink in the tank, then do the ammonia as normal, bottled bacteria can be added if you want but add it directly to the filter.

 

[Pebble6852]

put the old pads/filters into the tank squeezing them every now and then to allow water to flow though (may get a bit cloudy but nothing to worry about) then leave them to float/sink in the tank, then do the ammonia as normal, bottled bacteria can be added if you want but add it directly to the filter.

I’ll add the bacteria I have left over to the bio max when I add it. I’m heading home now to put the biomax and sponge in the filter, thank you so much and I’ll update later. I had a quick question though my nitrate test is definitely faulty so I had my water tested at a pet store and they are getting high. Is that going to affect my process at all and should I do a water change or should I leave it for now and change water later.

 

[wolfen]

because the filter bacteria are going to be disturbed any way do a 50% water change, remember to dechlorinate the water before adding to the tank, do the filter change etc.. after the water change, high levels of nitrate won't affect the cycling but having them too high makes it harder to reduce them when it is time to put your axolotl in.

 

[Pebble6852]

because the filter bacteria are going to be disturbed any way do a 50% water change, remember to dechlorinate the water before adding to the tank, do the filter change etc.. after the water change, high levels of nitrate won't affect the cycling but having them too high makes it harder to reduce them when it is time to put your axolotl in.

Okay! Should I wait 24 hours again to make sure there’s no chlorine or was that just for starting the cycle.
(And with the salt should I do a special salt bath or just add a little bit to his tub permanently)

 

[wolfen]

the salt should be used permanently, as to the water change provided the water has dechlorinator in it it should be fine straight away.

 

[Pebble6852]

the salt should be used permanently, as to the water change provided the water has dechlorinator in it it should be fine straight away.

Perfect, I’ll get it started now. Also sorry I have one last silly question do you know about how much salt is 2grams I don’t have a scale. The api salt says 1/2 teaspoon per gallon but I wasn’t sure if that was good for axolotls too or just regular fish. I kinda have been eyeballing his water in his tub since it’s a large container I just fill the bottom and a couple inches over him so I don’t know the exact amount of liters is it okay if I’m a little over or under

 

[wolfen]

1 teaspoon per 3 litre water = approx 2 g/l salt.
it is fine being slightly over or under.