Question: How important is pH/hardness/etc?

[DevonJConrad]

I'm getting my first axolotl (or two, haven't decided yet) within a month or so.

I've been doing a lot of research, and there's specific information as to the pH, hardness, etc. of the water. I've had fish in the past, and while the Internet is full of information about water qualities ideal for fish, all my fish were fine in good old tap water, untested and untreated (my rule of thumb for fish has been, if it's safe enough I can drink it, my fish can live in it, and I've never killed a fish this way).

Will axolotls do all right in just plain tap water, or is it important to their health that they have it within the certain pH range and that it's just hard enough?

Also... a couple more questions, 'cause I'm an axie noob.

Different sites all seem to have different opinions on changing the water. Change 1/4 of it every other day, switch it all out once a week when you clean the tank (what I did with my fish), etc. What do you recommend?

Finally, I know that axolotls tend to eat gravel. What do you use instead? River stones/larger pebbles, sand? The souls of the innocent?

Thanks a bunch. :happy:

 

[tomkeogh]

You want to use a sand, slate or bare bottom tank. I prefer sand, you can also use very large rocks as substrate but they have to be much, much, much larger than an axolotl's mouth, but I would go with sand

on the PH and hardness have a read here Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity
Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity

If you are going to use tap water you really should be using a 'conditioner' to remove chlorine, and chloromine and even ammonia, nitrite or nitrate that may be in your tap water, The reason tap water is safe for us to drink is exactly the reason why it is unsafe for our axolotl...if your tap water only contains chlorine and no chloramine you can simply let the water sit for a few days...alternatively use fresh rain water.

Water changes depend on your tank's condition...If you are putting them in an already cycled tank, a 20-25% weekly change should surfice, I apologize if I have misunderstood your post but you really should not be 'cleaning' the tank every week. just remove visible waste regularly and maintain good water quality with water changes.

 

[DevonJConrad]

Water changes depend on your tank's condition...If you are putting them in an already cycled tank, a 20-25% weekly change should surfice, I apologize if I have misunderstood your post but you really should not be 'cleaning' the tank every week. just remove visible waste regularly and maintain good water quality with water changes.

I've heard that mentioned quite a bit. What exactly do you mean by a "cycled" tank?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[tomkeogh]

Caudata Culture Articles - Cycling

Basically, your axolotl gives off waste in the form of ammonia, in a new tank there is nothing to break down the ammonia, when a tank is cycling the bacteria needed will colonize the speed of which is depending on amount of waste, water volume etc, these bacteria will eventually be large enough in number to break down the amount of ammonia your axolotl excretes, and convert the ammonia to nitrite, separate colonies will then grow and break down nitrite into nitrate, nitrate is policed by you doing a weekly water change.

This whole process may take between 2 weeks and 2 months, while your tank is cycling you will need to take daily water chemistry readings using a test kit like this Api Freshwater Master Test Kit - £ 19.9 - Test Kits - API - Chemist Direct there are cheaper options, but these test tube drop kits are most accurate, depending on the levels recorded you will have to change water maybe daily, usually 20% will serfice.

If you can use some substrate, ornaments or decorations, filter media or water from an existing aquarium this process will be sped up a little.

But again it is important you do not 'clean' everything and change all the water every week, once cycled you should be able to maintain good chemistry with a weekly change of 20% and spot cleaning when needed.

How large is your tank?

 

[DevonJConrad]

Thanks. Silly me--I found an article explaining it about two minutes after I asked.

I haven't gotten a tank yet, still looking at options. I've read that 10 gallons will suffice for 1-2 axolotls, but that just feels mean... why give them a studio apartment when I could give them a 3-bedroom home? I'm thinking of getting a 25 or 35 gallon one for two (the 25 and 35-gallon tanks are the same price at my local pet store)... does that sound all right, or not enough/overkill?

 

[tomkeogh]

The 35 gal should be fine, do you know the dimension?

 

[DevonJConrad]

It's 30"L x 15"W x 21"H, according to the website.

 

[tomkeogh]

I would say that is only suitable for one adult Axolotl, you need at least 3 foot long for two

 

[dragonlady]

Sorry to disagree with you, Tom, but that averages about 15" per axolotl if you go with two and I consider that to be okay. Just have lots of plants and hides for them with some walking around room too. Of course bigger is always better so if you can upgrade later, the axolotls won't complain!

Tom is very right about the test kits and water treatment. Axolotls are very sensitive to chlorine/chloramines and ammonia. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Tom's got you pretty well on your way and good luck!

 

[Azhael]

I´ve always felt that people seem to recommend a minimum volume per axolotl that to me seems too little. I wonder if we are going the same way as pacman frog keepers where the bare minimum conditions are considered perfectly ok, and even recommendable.

 

[dragonlady]

The average 36" long tank is only 12" deep. These are the dimensions of the average 30 gallon long that is recommended for two. This is giving you 425 sq. inches of space...

The tank that is under consideration is a 35 gallon. The tank is 30" long but 15" deep which gives you 450 sq. inches of space...

That's why I didn't see a problem with this tank...once again, I failed to be clear...sorry all.

 

[tomkeogh]

I would not be comfortable having two adults in there, to me that is not enough floor space for two. the minimum requirements for one axolotl is a two foot 60litre tank which will be 24"x12, in floor space you are talking less than a square foot more, I have a tank 40x20 and I am thinking twice about adding a third

Of course, Shannon is not giving bad advice it is all down to opinion, and sure with plenty of hides and plants it should be okay, but seeing as the guy has no axolotl yet I would say it makes sense to only get the one

 

[Mac Myers]

Sorry to disagree with you, Tom, but that averages about 15" per axolotl if you go with two and I consider that to be okay.

While bigger is always better..... Shannon is correct (IMNHO) and the 30" long by 15" deep is certainly adequate for 2 Axolotls....especially if filled to the top. 35 gallons of water will be easier to keep stable temperature and parameter-wise too. :happy:

I have 4 in a 55 gallon tank 48" x 12 or 13" and they do well.