Help! I think my husband crashed my cycle!

[Elise.91]

I tested yesterday and nitrites were pretty high as well as some ammonia. I did a fifty percent water change. But I found out my husband changed the filter, not knowing otherwise. Is my cycle completely crashed? My axies are still in there. Should I tub??

 

[wolfen]

if your tank is a bare bones (no substrate) and the filtration media has been replaced rather than cleaned then the tank will need to be cycled all over again and your axolotls will need to be tubbed whilst doing so.
if only part off the filtration has been replaced then it will still need to rebuild the bacteria colony so your axolotls will still need to be tubbed whilst a partial cycle is performed.
whilst your axolotls are out of the tank maintenance can be done, ie.. replace old air-stones, check and replace if worn impeller shaft on internal/external filter pump etc..

 

[Elise.91]

if your tank is a bare bones (no substrate) and the filtration media has been replaced rather than cleaned then the tank will need to be cycled all over again and your axolotls will need to be tubbed whilst doing so.
if only part off the filtration has been replaced then it will still need to rebuild the bacteria colony so your axolotls will still need to be tubbed whilst a partial cycle is performed.
whilst your axolotls are out of the tank maintenance can be done, ie.. replace old air-stones, check and replace if worn impeller shaft on internal/external filter pump etc..

Thank you! I’ll get them out and tub them now. I have sand and some plastic plants so hopefully those are holding some bacteria. So I need to just start the cycle over, basically?

 

[Elise.91]

Ok I’ve ordered some already seeded media to stick in the tank so hopefully that will help a lot. They’re happy (ish) in their tubs right now.

 

[wolfen]

Thank you! I’ll get them out and tub them now. I have sand and some plastic plants so hopefully those are holding some bacteria. So I need to just start the cycle over, basically?

yes,
as for seeded media, always remember although it will help speed up the cycling there is a large difference between amount of bacteria required for fish and the amount for axolotls so it will still take time.
you do have some bacteria still in the tank otherwise you wouldn't get any readings for nitrite.

 

[Elise.91]

These are my levels with zero ammonia.

 

[wolfen]

good job axolotls aren't in the tank as the nitrites are deadly, if your axolotls have been exposed to high nitrites use a couple of drops of methyline blue in the tub water or give them methyline blue baths, nitrites are absorbed into the blood stream which creates a condition called brown blood which is a problem with oxygen levels, methyline blue helps to oxygenate the blood and reverse the condition, using a small amount of salt (ie.. 2g per ltr) in the water will also help counter any issues caused by high nitrogen compound levels.
because the ph test is as high as it will go you ph will need to be tested with the high ph test, as it is though the level is good.
the nitrates are good.

 

[Elise.91]

good job axolotls aren't in the tank as the nitrites are deadly, if your axolotls have been exposed to high nitrites use a couple of drops of methyline blue in the tub water or give them methyline blue baths, nitrites are absorbed into the blood stream which creates a condition called brown blood which is a problem with oxygen levels, methyline blue helps to oxygenate the blood and reverse the condition, using a small amount of salt (ie.. 2g per ltr) in the water will also help counter any issues caused by high nitrogen compound levels.
because the ph test is as high as it will go you ph will need to be tested with the high ph test, as it is though the level is good.
the nitrates are good.

How do I use the methylene blue? I’ve just purchased some and don’t want to do anything to harm them anymore. I’m also about to post a thread regarding something crazy I did (I took in four dying axolotls). So I’ll need lots more help.

 

[Autistic Catholic]

How do I use the methylene blue? I’ve just purchased some and don’t want to do anything to harm them anymore. I’m also about to post a thread regarding something crazy I did (I took in four dying axolotls). So I’ll need lots more help.

Yeah...taking in four dying axolotls is very crazy when you've got problems already but there's many who can help.
Add a minimum dosage to the water they are being tubbed in like @wolfen already stated is usually almost always fine.

 

[Elise.91]

Yeah...taking in four dying axolotls is very crazy when you've got problems already but there's many who can help.
Add a minimum dosage to the water they are being tubbed in like @wolfen already stated is usually almost always fine.

The pet store told me if I didn’t take them they were going to kill them by flushing them. So, yeah, I’d say they’re better off with me even if I’m having tank problems

 

[Elise.91]

Yeah...taking in four dying axolotls is very crazy when you've got problems already but there's many who can help.
Add a minimum dosage to the water they are being tubbed in like @wolfen already stated is usually almost always fine.

I’ve put two drops each into their respective tubs. My question is do I leave it until next water change tomorrow morning or do I leave it for about half an hour and then change the water?

 

[wolfen]

half hour.

 

[Elise.91]

half hour.

Thank you so much! You’ve been very helpful!

 

[Autistic Catholic]

I’ve put two drops each into their respective tubs. My question is do I leave it until next water change tomorrow morning or do I leave it for about half an hour and then change the water?

Okay, that's insane that the pet store was going to flush four dying axolotls down the toilet! Very anti-environmental, especially considering Florida already has enough invasive species but also complete and total disrespect to the animals. I hope the pet store at least didn't charge you anything, otherwise that money could be used to potentially promote further bad practices.

 

[Elise.91]

Okay, that's insane that the pet store was going to flush four dying axolotls down the toilet! Very anti-environmental, especially considering Florida already has enough invasive species but also complete and total disrespect to the animals. I hope the pet store at least didn't charge you anything, otherwise that money could be used to potentially promote further bad practices.

No. I had an absolute fit on the owner for the conditions they were in. They wanted $175 a piece. I ended up talking her into letting me have them for free so they could hopefully have a better life. I’m getting a huge tank for the males in the next two weeks and until everything’s cycled, everyone is in their own five gallon tub with fresh water primed and changed every morning.

 

[Autistic Catholic]

I hope things go well for the rehabilitation of these animals! St. Neot, ora pro nobis!

 

[Elise.91]

I hope things go well for the rehabilitation of these animals! St. Neot, ora pro nobis!

Thank you for your blessings!

 

[Elise.91]

First photo are my 24hr readings yesterday before dosing ammonia back to 4ppm. This morning (I forgot to get a photo) ammonia was at zero and, surprisingly, my nitrites are back at zero as well! Nitrates are a bit high. Should I do a water change to bring down nitrates or continue dosing ammonia and cycling?

 

[wolfen]

dose for a further two days, if every thing checks out ok then do a 50% water change with dechlorinated water.