Cycling. Help please!

[xxFEExx]

I'm a total newbie when it comes to keeping Axolotls and I need some advice.

I'm getting two Axolotls off of a friend (who has had Axolotls for years) and he is selling me the Axolotls, the tank and everything that goes with it, but I know the tank needs to be set up before I put the Axolotls in it, but the tank he is selling me is the one they are living in at the moment.

So my question is:
Should I buy a new tank and set it up before I get the Axolotls, or will it be all right because the tank I'm getting is the one they're in now so effectively the only new thing I'll be adding is the water?

It seems like an obvious question, but I can't find the answer anywhere.
(also sorry if this is posted in the wrong place)

 

[Salamanderfire]

AW: Cycling. Help please!

Hi,

most of the beneficial bacteria of a cycled tank are not in the water but in the substrate at the ground of the tank and if a filter is used of course in the filter.
So if their old home has been perfect for them, then there is no need to buy a new aquarium.

Only if there is a filter then the bacteria in it can die if the filter is switched off for a longer time, because the bacteria dont get enough fresh water and oxygen. If the filter is switched on again then there are not enough live bacteria in it to clean the water and the billions of dead bacteria additionally pollute the water.
So a used filter should not be switched off for a long time.
If you are able to prevent this, the old tank should be safe.

And of course the new water should not contain chlorine or other unhealthy chemicals that sometimes are added to tap water.

Peter

 

[nephiarising]

You can also keep the bacteria alive by floating the filter element in dechlorinated water, preferably from the tank. Stick them in a fish bag, tie it with air in it, and they should be alive and kicking when its time to set the tank back up (assuming the transfer wasn't more than 24 hours or so.) If theres substrate in the tank, you probably want to get your friend to at least keep it wet. You'll probably lose a hefty chunk of the bacteria, but you should be able to keep enough.