Eheim 350 in 20 gallon tank?

[Axilottaquestions]

Hi again.Quite frustrated. We have been working nonstop to get our tank set up before we go away tomorrow. We finally got a tank cycled again after a crash. We got a canister filter and a chiller. The tank just got cycled yesterday, and we leave tomorrow.

The problem is, this flow rate is way too rough. She's getting moved around, the food is getting moved around. And I don't know what we should do!

1. Hints for reducing flow rate? (We do have a spray bar, we turned the outlet valve down a little, though it started a little leak at first so quite worried about this).
2. Did we just get a way too strong filter and need to get a new one? (we may be changing to a 40 gallon, so got a filter that can support an 80 gallon tank, per advice on a forum to double the capacity with axolotls.
3. I have "Capri sea, moonlight sand" that we could put down- but I'm worried about another new variable right before we go out of town... or is this a good option? This would be the most available option for us before we leave.... but we are worried that a) it will be harder to clean/throw off parameters with pet sitter here, and b) will she still be stressed anyways with too high a flow?
4. do we need to just find some tiles? (we tried ones we had here but too small and seemed to make more problems)

Would appreciate any suggestions. It seems like this is going to be very stressful for her and just can't leave her for two weeks without a solution?

Thank you in advance!

PS. we do have a 40 gallon sitting here, but this one was close to cycled so we thought best to leave her in this one.

 

[wolfen]

have the spray bar above the water line facing the glass spraying at an angle down, this will allow the water to flow into the tank whilst reducing the pressure.
axolotls don't seem to mind some water flow it's the pressure they don't like (difference between a gentle breeze and a hurricane).
easiest way to feed whilst on vacation/holiday is to put a load of shrimp (or fish) in the tank (chuck some pleco pellets in to feed the shrimp or some fish flakes for the fish) and just leave the tank alone.
ensure that there is good water oxygenation and that parameters are good, make sure there are hides/caves etc.. for your axolotl to rest in, do water change day before leaving, if going for more than one week get sitter to just turn sand over (if adding sand) by running fork through it then do a water change, if adding salts/minerals prepare require amounts by dissolving salts/minerals into some water to be added during water change.

 

[Axilottaquestions]

Wow, so helpful! Thank you!

 

[minorhero]

You can turn the outlet valve down as much as you need.

 

[Axilottaquestions]

You can turn the outlet valve down as much as you need.

Thank you! We did turn it down, great to know ok! We also set up the spray bar as Wolfen suggested, and added the sand… it feels much better now! Thanks everyone! This forum is a life saver!