Cycled axolotl tank? And pooping too much

[Colettem]

Hello! I’ve been trying to cycle a new tank. I wiped previously used filter media on the new filter to get some of the gunk on there. Before that, I’d put the new filter in with the current filter in my cycled tank. The tank’s current parameters (used API freshwater master)
pH: 7.6
Ammonia: between 0 and .25. Not as green as the .25 on the chart but also not completely vivid yellow. Probably around .15
Nitrites:0
Nitrates: between 0 and 5. Not completely yellow. Little orangey tint but not quite as orange as the 5 marker. Probably more like a 3
I know nitrates mark a cycled tank, but how much nitrates?
if this is not cycled, what else can I do?
(also I am doing 20-25% changes a day to keep ammonia down. I know 0 is ideal)

on a side note, how much pooping is too much? I have a 6 month old Axolotl tubbed (not fridged) right now. 100% water changes daily. She’d gotten sick and didn’t eat for a few days last week, but is better now! She is eating again (brine shrimp until I figure out her tummy problem) but she has been pooping about twice a day the pst 3 or 4 days. After she was sick, the first day she ate again she had 7 small pellets. I’m wondering if that just backed her up? She is refusing the pellets now. They all looked like normal poops (except one this morning that looked a little runny). She’s eating fine other than refusing pellets. Should I be worried? Tank temp is about 65 degrees F (I’d like it lower, but it’s the best I’ve been able to do with her tubbed)

 

[Calgarycoppers]

Are you feeding your tank ammonia?

Thats the only way to know if its actually cycled

even dump in the daily tub water changes

 

[Colettem]

Are you feeding your tank ammonia?

Thats the only way to know if its actually cycled

even dump in the daily tub water changes

I wasn’t putting ammonia specifically, but I had put some food in and let it sit for a few days to build it

 

[Calgarycoppers]

when we use ammonia to cycle we want to get the level up to 4ppm every day so you need to be putting all the poopy water in for a while and see if you can get the ammonia up

 

[EasternRomioi3]

@Colettem

First, I am catching up on your posts, is your axolotl eating yet? How are you both?

Second, I have a broken hand and can't type much, small reply.

Third, my friend in Arizona tried to cycle her tank and she couldn't get it to with the terrible water quality in her area, in Maripoca county, so she gave up on getting an axolotl there. Is that an issue for you?

Again, how are you? Axolotl eating?

 

[Colettem]

@Colettem

First, I am catching up on your posts, is your axolotl eating yet? How are you both?

Second, I have a broken hand and can't type much, small reply.

Third, my friend in Arizona tried to cycle her tank and she couldn't get it to with the terrible water quality in her area, in Maripoca county, so she gave up on getting an axolotl there. Is that an issue for you?

Again, how are you? Axolotl eating?

Hello! We are doing alright thank you! She is eating. Still won’t eat the pellets, but she has been eating 1-2 cubes of brine shrimp a day! I am in Maricopa county as well. The water quality doesn’t seem too bad, but it is very hard! When I got my first and second axolotls, I was unaware cycling was even a thing. I’d just put them in the tanks and never had any issues. I know this is a problem now. Thank goodness the tanks cycled with them in there with no problems. That was several years ago. I know better now. I still have my baby tubbed. I am going home for break and while my big guy is getting fed by neighbors, I will be bringing my baby with me in her tub. It’s only a 45 minute trip so she should be alright! Thank you for checking in! I hope your hand heals!

 

[EasternRomioi3]

This pleases me to hear. I am glad you're having success with your axolotls.

Thank you for the kindness towards my hand. We got like 16 inches of snow yesterday and I fell in it again, so idk. My fingers can still move so, they're still connected...I hate this state. PA is all hills, floods, and snow.