I need answers!

[happycamper]

Question #1:

Hi there! I am a soon to be axolotl owner, looking to figure a few things out.

Just began cycling my 29 gallon tank. I have never cycled a fishless tank, so I am wondering if what I did will be sufficient.

I filled the tank with dechlorinated tap water and an inch of well rinsed aquarium sand, then let it run with a filter for about 24 hours. I then removed half the water, and added water from my well established 55 gallon tropical tank. I also took some ceramic rings from my Fluval 405 canister filter, loaded with plenty of established bacteria and added them to the new tanks filter. Finally, I added some rocks and fake plants from my established tank.

I have done a preliminary water test to refer to, but I am curious what kind of time frame I am looking at.

Question #2:
I have a 29 gallon tank. How many axolotls can I put in there? I would be perfectly happy with one, but two would be awesome!

 

[blackdog]

Answer # 1 - From what i understand, transferring dirty (other tank water) oesnt make much difference - the water itself doesnt hold much bacteria - but hey, it certainly can't hurt so, so what?

The plants, filter media and tank furniture are what have the bacteria, so great move there - but you knew that.

So, i'd just keep testing the water daily for any changes, you might have a cycle that doesnt miss a beat.

One thing i'd question though, if you have no waste source in there (no fish or axies) where is the ammonia source? Without an ammonia source, wont the cycle crash? Not sure, experts?

So, perhaps you actually need the axies in there to stop the cycle from crashing?

If the cycle has crashed then the time frame would be as normal 4-6 weeks.

You can cycle the tank with axies in there, i did. you just have to be religious with the testing and daily water changes

Answer #2 - I'm in australia, and i'm only 41, so i'm metric through and through- dunno how much a gallon is Rule of thumb - min 1 foot of tank per axie - 1.5 foot if you can

I started with a 2 foot tank, technically it should have been fine, but seeing them in the 3 x 1.5 x 1.5 tank makes me much happier

Time frame? Well, if you tested the water everyday for a week or more and nothing changes (ie you get no amm, nitrites, and the nitrates are ok) then i would say you are pretty ok straight away.

If you get an ammonia spike or nitrite spike then the cycle may have crashed in the move.

I set up a new tank for my guys recently. I ran the new filter on the old tank for 6 weeks, and when i made the move i simply used all new water, old tank furniture, and the new filter that had been working for 6 weeks. The cycle never missed a beat.

I used the old tank as a breeder for cherry shrimp and white cloud. Again, i clean the tank out, rinsed the substrate, used the old cycled filter and some tank furniture. Again, the cycle never missed a beat.

 

[zoezakella]

HI happycamper & welcome :happy:

You can have 2 axies as it is recommended that there are 10 gallons per axie

Good luck with the cycling

 

[Crysta]

In my experience with fish-less cycling, it usualy takes me a around 6-8 weeks to get my cycle fully established, but it has ONCE taken me three months.

I would say the time frame you're looking at is around 6 weeks, but the nice filter media could shave off a week or two.


also you could house two axolotls in a 29Gal they'll have lots of space in there, as it's not quite big enough for three.

 

[happycamper]

Cool, thanks for the info guys. :happy: