Question: How do I lower the Nitrite/ Nitrate levels?

[Aussie Rach]

Hello,

Some of you may have seen me on here before, asking about my axolotl, Charlie (she swallowed some gravel and was successfully treated)..

I am a teacher and now have another axolotl in my classroom. I tested the water, having a feeling something must be wrong, as after having her for only a couple of weeks noticed her gills starting to shrink. The ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels were all a couple of levels above zero. (Sorry cannot remember right now without the card exactly what they were). Alarmed, the kids and I did water changes every day, as after we did one we would test the water and it still was above zero. I have not done a change for a couple of days, as I thought this would also be stressful for the axy.

But the levels are still the same. What else could I do to lower the levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? Is there anything I can add to the water?

Thankyou, Rachel

 

[big a little a]

Hi Rach

Normally I would recommend increased water changes but it sounds like you are doing that anyway - instead, perhaps try to establish what is creating this ammonia (ie, a prevention rather than a cure).

First of all, are you using a cycled tank?

Have you checked for debris that could cause ammonia - could any uneaten food/plant debris/axie poo be hidden under any hides or stones?

How many ammonia-producers do you have in the tank - is it just the one axie? How big is the tank and what is the temperature of it - hotter temperatures are an aider and abettor to ammonia ?

Zoe x

 

[Darkmaverick]

What is your stocking rate? Are there too many axies in the tank?

Live plants can help buffer against ammonia spikes.

If you use a filter, try using zeolite granules chemical filtration. They get rid of ammonia quite rapidly. Depending on the type of filter, they must be replaced about once every month or so.

 

[Kerry1968]

I would say along with all the above advice keep doing the regular small water changes 10 - 20% a day shouldn't stress out your axies too much.

 

[Nathan]

It sounds like there is ammonia present in your tap water. Try testing the water before you add it to the tank.

The dechlorinator Amquel Plus is supposed to permanently detoxify this ammonia, while still leaving it available to your nitrifying bacteria. Seachem Prime behaves similarly but only detoxifies the ammonia for a couple of days. These (and zeolite) are temporary solutions, however.

What you really want is a well-established biofilter or lots of healthy plants. These will consume nitrogenous wastes (bacterial biofilters consume ammonia and nitrite, algal biofilters and plants consume those two and nitrate as well).

What sort of filtration do you currently have on the tank?

 

[Aussie Rach]

Thanks so much for all the replies and advice.

Firstly, I do live in a warm climate, so I will check the temperature today. The tank is placed in a cool spot in the classroom though.

Secondly, sorry Rayson, but are zeolite granules something you can buy and put in your filter?
I was beginning to think perhaps the filter is not good enough, it is just a sponge filter, and does not seem very powerful.

I have a two foot tank with only one axie. I do have some plants, but will get more.

I will also try to source the Amquel Plus. I was scared to try things from the pet shop before asking on here, as I feared products for fish may be harmful to axie's skin etc.

What type of filter would you guys recommend?

Thanks again, Rach :happy:

 

[Aussie Rach]

Oh also, I use one of those vaccuum cleaners so get under all the rocks to clean out the debris from plants and axie poo, so the tank is "visibly" clean. I will continue to do the 10-20% changes in the meantime too.

Ta Rach

 

[Nathan]

A sponge filter is fine once it is "cycled". This is the process of the ammonia- and nitrite-feeding bacteria populations building up to a high enough level to handle the waste in the tank. Your filter will cycle eventually, just keep on top of maintenance as you have been doing until then.

For future reference, it is possible to "cycle" a filter before adding any animals to the tank by providing an ammonia source, either household ammonia (provided it has no added perfumes or surfactants) or organic matter such as fish food or a bit of meat, etc.

Zeolite granules go by various brand names, usually something to do with ammonia, such as "Ammo Zorb" or "Ammo Chips". The pet store clerk should know what you mean. Kitty litter is pretty much the same stuff, but I wouldn't use it without doing some serious research into additives first.

 

[Aussie Rach]

Ok, so yesterday I noticed Olive is mostly floating on top of the water and not swimming around. She is usually quite active. I know my one at home, Charlie, does float in some plants from time to time, but not all day.

So I was really worried about her and had no choice but to bring her home and put her in the tank with Charlie. I know this may not have been the best thing to do but I really thought she was looking quite bad, and felt guilty having her in the nitrite filled tank.

Charlie was not very happy at all by her new visitor, but they are ok together now. Putting her in with Charlie really showed me what a bad way she is in though!!! She looks very thin and seems to have trouble 'sinking', even when she is on the bottom, the middle of her body seems to float. She is still eating eagerly ( I feed live earthworms)

Will it benefit to fridge her?

Rach