Question: Help to a new owner :)

[Phoenix69778]

Hello all as stated above my wife and I have only had our Axolotl for 2 days now. We have him in a 47 gallon bow front tank that has had gold fish in it for about 6 months now as we were told the easiest way to cycle a tank was with live fish. It has an adjustable flow back of tank filter as I know water flow is bad for them. Also I know they don't like a lot of light so I just got a light for a 10 gallon tank on there not sure on this one just the best I could think of, better suggestions our welcome.
When I brought the Axi home I did a half water change and treated the water with Prime water conditioner to help clean out some of the harmful stuff. I have frozen blood worms as food and I will be getting earthworms soon after reading other post on this site.
He seems happy however he spends a lot of time hiding under the rocks during the day. Is this cause the light is to bright or just normal. I will attach pictures of tank below and look forward to some helpful comments to make Oxi's home a safe and happy place for him. Thanks in advance to all who can help!

 

[layna]

Hello
Okay those stones you have in the tank arent safe as your axie could eat them and this will cause impaction id remove them asap to be safe.
As for the hiding, axies are nocturnal i believe and spend a lot of time hiding out and sleeping during the day. Also they have bad eyesight and generally dont like bright lights, thats why a tank light isnt good for axie tanks and plants and hides are good
Hope this helps

 

[Phoenix69778]

Hello
Okay those stones you have in the tank arent safe as your axie could eat them and this will cause impaction id remove them asap to be safe.
As for the hiding, axies are nocturnal i believe and spend a lot of time hiding out and sleeping during the day. Also they have bad eyesight and generally dont like bright lights, thats why a tank light isnt good for axie tanks and plants and hides are good
Hope this helps

Really? Dang ok thats what I get for letting the pet store guy help me ok thanks

 

[layna]

Yeah some pet stores just try to sell you stuff and dont actually know much about lottles hehe

 

[auntiejude]

Yup, lose the pebbles/gravel, stick with sand, large rocks or bare bottom. Mine pooped stones for 3 months when I got them home

You don't really need a light either - axies tend to hide from bright lights. That said, one of mine is a complete poser and will swim towards a camera flash. If you want some real plants you can get ones that will survive in low light. If you really want a light try a moonlight lamp.

My axies don't mind a little bit of current - the test is to put a leaf or bit of paper on the surface and see if it moves fast or slow - the slower the better. Mine also love their bubble curtain - just an elongated bubble stone that creates a fine mist of bubbles that they 'surf' to the top of the tank. I would also add a tall plant - fake or real, it doesn't matter - mine like to climb, or sit on a leaf or branch where they can see out of the tank.

 

[layna]

Yeah plants are great, i have elodea, anubias and mini water lettuce for my real plants and some lovely tall silk plants they like to sit on
it makes the tank really pretty and more enriching for you axie