Filters?

[officerPuckles]

We have a 10 gallon tank, with normal brown sand (pond sand, we purchased it at the pet shop, no worries)
Our axolotl's water temperature is generally at 8-12 degrees (sometimes cooler once we put the ice cubes in)
I do not know the pH balance or any other levels, and we've had him for almost 3 months so I don't really think we have a problem.
Feel free to call me out on that, but we have yet to have any water problems (knock on wood)
My question is this, we have a filter. Its a Tetra Whisper Medium/Junior size filter.
And we don't use it whatsoever because it really stresses him out when the water is moving around. We have tried tying a sponge around the water flow to decrease it, but it still really terribly upsets Officer Puckles.
Someone on here a while back told me that axolotls don't even need a filter in their tank, so i was wondering if this is true or not because I have also gotten a slap on the wrist for not having a filter.

Another quick question, whats up with the black stuff in the sand in his tank? Its on both sides and underneath his feeding cup.

 

[smily sam]

Do you or do you not have a filter?
It is best to have a filter because bacteria that help brake down waste grow on the filter media, so unless you want to do daily water changes I recomend a filter, like a sponge filter or if your worried it will be to stressful for him you could atleast have an air stone to oxanagate the water (I don't know why it would be to stressful to officerPuckles what was it like?).

The black stuff is probably axie waste, uneaten food (since its underneath the feeding cup) and axie poop.

Any more questions feel free to ask.
Sam:happy:

 

[laalflaach]

I think you definitely need a filter, I have two goldfish in my tank to cycle the filter, cleaned the tank and did a water change on monday, its now wednesday and needs the filter cleaning again,they are constantly pooping, the filter has a spray bar to dissipate and aerate the water and you can hear when its getting bunged up as it splutters and makes funny noises, I think I need a bigger filter, which is a bit daunting as axies dont like too much water flow, but I think too much crud in the tank is more damaging.

 

[Shizeric]

I would recommend a filter, as it decreases the maintenance on the tank. You can always use a sponge filter, which would create less water flow. The black stuff in the sand is built up gases that have fouled. The sand is too deep which captures gases and that is the result. The sand should only be about a 1/4" - 1/2" deep.

 

[officerPuckles]

No filter. Well we have it, its just not on. I will most likely get an air stone for him.
His attitude changes completely once a filter is on, even if its subdued to barely nothing with the sponge. He hangs out in only one corner and doesn't eat if the water is moving.

 

[laalflaach]

I would recommend a filter, as it decreases the maintenance on the tank. You can always use a sponge filter, which would create less water flow. The black stuff in the sand is built up gases that have fouled. The sand is too deep which captures gases and that is the result. The sand should only be about a 1/4" - 1/2" deep.

I had read on several posts that more than an inch was damaging due to gaseus build up, so I have an inch of sand, slowly dissipating due to removal when cleaning, but when I clean twice a week , I always move the sand around to remove any gas that may have built up, is that correct procedure???

 

[Boo Penguin]

I think a filter is a must for axolotls, I've got an external canister filter with a spray bar. I aim the bar at the wall creating a mini waterfall effect (and less water movement), my axi isn't phased by it at all.

But I've always kept her with a filter, I used to have a hang on filter though and even that didn't upset her.

With a spray bar the water disturbance at the bottom of the tank is minimal, only the very surface water moves.

 

[yellowpebble]

yes filters do make things easier, they suck out globs of poop and bacteria will eventually grow in them which will eliminate nitrates in the water, meaning you do not have to do water changes as regularly. Sponge filters are very good, they are low flow and bacteria love them. They are also one of the cheapest.

If you do buy another sort of filter, (more effective at sucking waste but not as good for bacteria) i recommend a regular old sea sponge for the tank. cosmetics shops sell them cheap for applying makeup. Don't wash it once it is in the tank. You can clean everything else in the tank but the sponge will be home to lots of algie and water cleaning bacteria. This will act as a biological filter and keep nitrates down. Growing plants in the tank will do the same thing but are hard to keep in the low light conditions axies prefer.

Daily water changes and poop scooping do the same thing as a filter, but why put the axies through the extra stress, and ew...effort! (worth it of course). Plus filter = bacteria. we <3 bacteria.


good luck

 

[carsona246]

if your not using your filter, then you basically have no filter. if its not on, and always on it serves no purpose. no filter can be done, but i would recommend at least having a sponge filter like shizeric said

 

[ax]

yes filters do make things easier, they suck out globs of poop and bacteria will eventually grow in them which will eliminate nitrates in the water, meaning you do not have to do water changes as regularly.

Pretty sure they dont remove nitrates, they convert ammonia to nitrite then nitrite to nitrate then water changes or a heavily planted tank removes nitrates,