Help, my tank smells like dirt!

[Luisa]

Hi there,
I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm a new Axolotl owner, and I'm worried that I'm not getting my tank right!
I bought little Axel about 3 weeks ago, the pet shop I bought him from sold me gravel and a filter.
Everything seemed fine for a about a week, and then the tank started getting murky looking. But everyone I spoke to said it was normal, but that I should get rid of the gravel, which I did. (My tank is now bare bottomed, but Axel doesn't really seem to like it, so I might get sand?)

I've also done 2 water changes, not full tanks ones though.
The tank is slightly murky, however over the past few days I've noticed a distinct earthy smell, is this normal, or am I doing something wrong?
I tested the water today and the nitrate levels were 0, but for the first time the pH level was 6.0, when it's normally been around 7.0.
I clean the tank of leftover food regularly too.

Axel seems happy, he has a good appetite and is growing steadily. I really love the little guy, and I want to make sure that I'm doing everything correctly so that he stays happy and healthy.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Luisa

 

[JamieOleBoy]

You tested your nitrate and it's 0? Well ...what are your nitrite and ammonia? These are what's harmful.

If you have no nitrate it's safe to say you do not have a cycled tank.

 

[Luisa]

Ok, so I've just test the water again (I have dip strips if that makes any difference?) And the readings are as follows:
The pH is 6.5
The NO2 (nitrite) is 0 and the NO3 (nitrate) is 20.

I also have a 50L tank.

Luisa

 

[RupertxGiles]

Gravel is a huge no no!!

 

[Kaini]

Ok, so I've just test the water again (I have dip strips if that makes any difference?) And the readings are as follows:
The pH is 6.5
The NO2 (nitrite) is 0 and the NO3 (nitrate) is 20.

I also have a 50L tank.

Luisa

Okay.

Don't use test strips - they're inaccurate and generally useless. The moment they're exposed to air they starting losing their effectiveness - and there's a high chance air got into the bottle before you got it. They're a waste of money.

Your tank is not cycled and that is most likely the source of the smell! I would guess high ammonia. You need to do more water changes - ASAP!

And you need to get a liquid test kit and be testing your water parameters, regularly. This is important to keeping any aquatic life, especially an axolotl which is very sensitive to water quality. He may not start showing symptoms of ammonia poisoning until it's too late.

Good liquid test kit: Amazon.com: API Freshwater Master Test Kit: Pet Supplies


And like I said, since you have on nitrate reading, your tank is not cycled.

edit: Wait okay on the second test you are getting nitrates? Again strips are inaccurate so I wouldn't trust them, but you may have your cycle partially started. Again you need to test with a liquid kit to really know.

This means it is going to be actively cycling, and there will be frequent spikes of ammonia and nitrite. you need to be changing the water at least 50% DAILY while this is happening or your Axolotl will be exposed to toxins which will kill it.

Here's an article on tank cycling (what you're doing, by accident, is a fish-in cycle): Scales Tails Wings and Things, What is Aquarium Cycling? How to Cycle your Tank

 

[Luisa]

Thank you so much! That's really helpful I'll get the test kit asap and do a 50% water change.
Thanks again!

Luisa:happy:

 

[Luisa]

I've just read the article on Cycling tanks, brilliant and easy to understand, so thanks again!!

 

[Kaini]

Of course, you're welcome! I'm glad it could help.

 

[bugdozer]

Another tip to help maintain water quality during the cycling process is to suck out poop when you see it, with a turkey baster or syringe. Left in there, it speeds up ammonia production.