Getting some axolotls and would need some info on aquarium keeping.

[Eastling352]

Currently preparing for two axolotls. Getting a tank soon, thinking it's gonna be a 120l tank. But i have no previous experience of aquariums. '

My current setup-idea is this:

What i'm thinking is a canister filter for the tank. But the problem with that is the tank is already quite a lot of money so i don't have that much to spare but i found one quite cheap (i'd say around $90) but i don't know the quality of it. Is it better to have a canister filter for the same price as a submersible filter?

Gonna have plants, live plants, as many as i can have. Probably plenty of them in a corner with some lighting and a few plants spread around the tank.

Rocks, my local pet shop have some slate rocks so i'm gonna get a few of those and build some hides. But what about some rocks i've found in the wild? They mostly okay just as long as they don't have sharp edges?

As i said, i don't have any experience with aquariums other than what i've read on this site. I'm getting an API Freshwater test kit sometime as i've read they're pretty much the best for that money. But do you have any tips on overall maintenance of aquariums, some tips and tricks? :bowl:

And i've also read about cycling and i'm gonna get the aquarium soon so i can get it ready a month or so before my axies come, but could anyone explain the process, what you do, and what happens?

Thanks, and sorry if it's a bit much but i just want the best for my Axolotls.

 

[fallenangelfyre]

i am also a noob, but will throw in my .02 as i've been doing fairly extensive research on keeping axolotl's. old timers, please correct me on any bad information so that i may learn as well.

one thing i can say for certain as i've used a lot of wild collected materials in my vivaria is that the best thing to do with anything collect in the woods is to boil it for a couple hours. this really is the only way to definitely kill any parasites or bacteria that it may carry. this can be dangerous with stones as they may have pockets of gas or liquid that could explode so i would vacate the room while the boiling is going on. i've never heard of anyone actually experiencing this, but it's very possible.

canister filters seem to be the best bang for your buck. should last several years at least and seem to perform the best.

live plants are always a good idea. not only do they battle the accumulation of nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia (the axies waste), but they provide shelter and more interesting surroundings for you friendlies. plus live plants always look better than fake.

in my understanding, cycling is basically taking standing inert water and making it biologically balanced for your little water-world i.e. removal of chloramines & other harmful chemicals, proper ph levels, the exchange of good bacteria and bad, the exchange of nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia for co2 & o2, etc.

 

[carsona246]

Cycling is the process of cultivating beneficial bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate.
The cycling process does not involve removing chloramines/chlorines, does not fix ph levels, does not exchange bacteria, or nitrates, or mess with co2/o2.
You start by providing an ammonia source for your beneficial bacteria. An ammonia level of 4 ppm's is the ideal level if nothing alive is in your tank. Otherwise keep the ammonia level at .5 or below to avoid harming whatever is in your tank. The bacteria will eventually convert the ammonia to nitrite. New bacteria will start to grow once nitrite is present in your tank and convert that to nitrate(least deadly toxin). You will need to keep adding ammonia to your tank to keep it at 4 ppm's of ammona(fishless cycling only) until the ammonia/nitrite levels drop fairly quickly after adding the ammonia.

 

[Kaysie]

Sterilization by boiling takes minutes, not hours. Really, by the time the water reaches a boiling temperature, it's killed most of the offending organisms found within it. You can also sterilize things with a mild bleach solution (rinse really well!!), or vinegar, which is much safer than bleach.

Don't bake rocks. They can explode. It's much less likely when you're boiling them, but don't bake them.