HELP! my tap water is unusable for water changes

[pickel!]

ive realized that my tap water is far too bad of quality to put into my tank, even with Prime double doses.

I was once told I could either mix freshwater with tap water, but I doubt this is the case simply because the ammonia levels are so high in my tap water. i know from research that axolotls live in brackish water so theoretically could I buy freshwater and saltwater from the pet store and mix them in a certain ratio for water changes?

I really need a solution ASAP while I'm waiting to find someone who can take in my axie.

 

[JM29]

I've read on your huge problem in your previous posts.
Have you asked your pet store, who perhaps is located in the same town, how they deal with this water "quality" ?

 

[pickel!]

I've read on your huge problem in your previous posts.
Have you asked your pet store, who perhaps is located in the same town, how they deal with this water "quality" ?

i have not, the only pet stores around me are petsmart, petco, and some smaller stores, all of which I know have never housed axolotls (I called every single one near me when I was first looking for one) so I get worried about them simply not knowing how to help me. I get lucky to find other axolotl owners and get information from them instead.

 

[JM29]

Ok, but no matter they have axolotls or not. If they are around you, they probably have the same water than you.
Since they certainly have fishes, which are as sensitiveas axolotls to ammonia, they must have a solution, no ?

 

[pickel!]

Ok, but no matter they have axolotls or not. If they are around you, they probably have the same water than you.
Since they certainly have fishes, which are as sensitiveas axolotls to ammonia, they must have a solution, no ?

hopefully, yes. I was told the Petsmart that I could condition tap water and be okay, so I really hope they can help me figure this out

 

[JM29]

Just to be sure I've fully understood :
The ammonia level you cited in your previous posts is total ammonia or free ammonia ?

 

[pickel!]

Just to be sure I've fully understood :
The ammonia level you cited in your previous posts is total ammonia or free ammonia ?

my water testing kit tests for ammonia NH3/NH4+, so I believe that is total ammonia

 

[JM29]

If your pH is about 7, NH3 (free ammonia, by far the most toxic) is only a minor part of total ammonia.
This could explain why your axolotl is not dead in spite of high amminia values.

 

[pickel!]

If your pH is about 7, NH3 (free ammonia, by far the most toxic) is only a minor part of total ammonia.
This could explain why your axolotl is not dead in spite of high amminia values.

i figured something with the pH was the only thing making the water just barely livable for him. I still won't be using tap water anymore simply because there's no way for me to make sure there isn't any toxic ammonia in it. I figured using freshwater for water changes would at least be better, even if it's not ideal.

 

[JM29]

And let alone ammonia, how is your axolotl right now ?

 

[pickel!]

And let alone ammonia, how is your axolotl right now ?

funny enough, he's doing great. he just ate a worm no problem, straight tail, frills look fine. lately he's been pretty active just walking around the tank and moving from hiding spot to hiding spot. it's very odd how he's not showing many, if any, signs of stress. it worries me that if I try tubbing him in freshwater or a mix of his tank water (low amount) with clean freshwater he may react badly to it.

 

[pickel!]

i just tested ammonia, nitrates, nitrites and ph.

ammonia is still incredibly high, as well as nitrates but there is no nitrites. ph is testing about 7-7.2

 

[JM29]

Ok, but since your axolotl is still fine, I suppose this high ammonia is total ammonia.
You'll have to divide the value by 160 to obtain the free ammonia value, which may be acceptable.

 

[JM29]

Nitrites at zero is also good news.
The aquarium is functionning well.

 

[pickel!]

Ok, but since your axolotl is still fine, I suppose this high ammonia is total ammonia.
You'll have to divide the value by 160 to obtain the free ammonia value, which may be acceptable.

there are testing kits made to test free ammonia right? I'll be looking for it at the store

 

[axolotl nerd]

there are testing kits made to test free ammonia right? I'll be looking for it at the store

i’ve heard the api testing kit is the best

 

[JM29]

I know there exist but I'm in France and I don't know what is available in US.

 

[JM29]

I just read that API test reads total ammonia.
This exagerates the danger

I know a lot of people keeping axolotls and other caudates and rarely or never do tests (including me) except if they observe something wrong on teir animals.

 

[pickel!]

I just read that API test reads total ammonia.
This exagerates the danger

I know a lot of people keeping axolotls and other caudates and rarely or never do tests (including me) except if they observe something wrong on teir animals.

yes I use API, and I did my own reading on total vs free ammonia and its definitely testing for total ammonia. so even if the ammonia isn't of concern aren't my nitrate levels still alarming? they're around or above 160ppm.

 

[JM29]

In fact, not really.
Nitrates are not very toxic by themselves.
Nevertheless, if you let them accumulate, you'll end with side effetcs like algae.

Nitrates is generally evidence of something wrong, like decaying organic matter in excess.
Here you know the cause is total ammonia brought by tap water plus ammonia excreted by your axie.
You also know ammonia is well converted to nitrates.

One way to control ammonia and nitrates together is adding real aquatic fats-growing plants.
Chose plants like Egeria densa, Ceratophyllum.
If you have no light on your tank, Java moss and Java fern will help but put a lot of them.