Is this tank OK for one Axolotl

[sammie68]

Hi everyone,

We have had our axi (Taco) for just over a week now and I'm beginning to wonder if the tank he is in is big enough. After doing a little research, I came to the conclusion that a 20 litre tank would be fine for one axolotl. I already have a tank roughly this size and after letting it cycle for a few weeks, my boys and I excitedly went to the pet store and bought home Taco who we had been watching at the store during this time and hoping like mad that no one else beat us to him. The tank he is in, is a 25-30litre marine master tank with in built carbon sponge filter and light. I don't use the light as it is way to bright and I'm not sure how to get it out.

Anyway after watching him in his tank this week, I've noticed that he seems to be able to swim around fine, but I really don't think it's wide enough. When I bought Taco I also bought a hide away for him but it took up most of the room in the tank, so have added smaller hides. I'm also going to add some large rocks for substrate and some more fresh plants.

I've attached some pictures of the tank and any constructive criticism will be appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read and look.

Sammie.

 

[iSuzie]

Sand would be a better substrate plan as large rocks catch waste and food left over between them.
Also they have to be bigger then Taco's head so as they can not be ingested, it is always better to be safe by not having large rocks as a substrate.
When using sand they can dig and play around in the sand as I have personally found my axolotls to prefer.
The tank does look a little small, but as long as he can swim around and stretch out fine, then it should be fine.
I do suggest you look into buying a bigger tank for him in the near future.
A few more plants would be great as Axolotls love to climb, play, sit and hide in plants.

Good luck with him!
Also how big is he? if he is still growing then he will defiantly need a bigger permanent home.

 

[carsona246]

20 liters is the equivalent of 5 gallons right? that's way too small. I recommend at least a 20 gallon tank. Also, I'm sure you understand the cycling process, but just to make sure, how exactly did you cycle your tank? It usually takes more than a few weeks to cycle a fish tank.

 

[blackdog]

Aha - you just answered my question in your other post re cycling.

General rule of thumb is 1 foot of tank per axie. Your tank looks like it might be a little small, but i would not rush out for another at this point, perhaps something to save for? Let's face it, i bet you dont stop at one axie

Set up looks ok for a start.

Stick with no substrate or sand, you have been wise to avoid aquarium gravel and rocks have their own problems.

A bigger hide might be nice if you can swing it, it looks like it is in a bright room - no eyelids you see, so low light is nice or a good hide to get away during the day.

Filter should be fine, but watch the levels, they produce a lot of waste. If you have had fish you know how to do that, if you are finding it hard to manage then a bigger tank will help (more water, less prone to waste issues)

Flow from the filter might be an issue. Axies like still water. Rule of thumb, if your plants are moving, then the current is too high for an axie. If this is happening (and i suspect it would be) then just try to figure a way to diffuse the flow - turn the filter slower, use a spray bar, run the outflow over a a bit of plastic or tank lid to spread it, run it through a net, point it against the glass - anything to spread the flow a bit - again, a bigger tank makes it easier to do this.

Watch the temp. Keep it below 21 celc - 18 is ideal. In a smaller tank and the aussie summers, this could be hard. A bigger tank can help, use fans on the water, room air con, ice blocks (not cubes from tap water - chlorine)

So overall, i'd say a bigger tank in the long term would make it easier to manage some potential problems, but overall it's a reasonable starting point IMHO

Bren

 

[lea]

It looks a little bit small to me so you better start saving for a bigger tank. Plus axies are addictive so you will want more than 1 . trust me you will.
Everybody has different ideas about tank sizes but I thinka 2ft tank good for 1 axies, 3ft tank for 2 axies etc. This will allow for the hides and plants you will need to make your axies happy. I also use sand and Cookie loves to dig in it. We have this wonderful game where I clean the tank and spread the sand out and then she comes behind me and digs in it and puts it all back where it was in the first place.

 

[blackdog]

Heh heh - i think the general consensus is - Sammi has to buy a bigger tank (and the safe money is another axie or two as well...)

 

[sammie68]

Thanks for the replies everyone,

For the cycling I wasn't clear sorry, I had it running for not quiet six weeks, it used to house gold fish but I moved them to a 3ft tank, completely stripped the smaller tank and let it run non stop for that period of time. I would have to use a measurement converter to check gallons against litres (my math is hopeless).

I can adjust the water flow no problem and I need to buy a water thermometer to check the temp, it's still reasonably cool here in NSW but we are coming into summer and our days here can reach as high as 40deg (really hot).

My gut is telling me to go with a bigger tank and I will definitely get some sand, more plants and better hide aways for him.

The room is fairly light but that can be easy fixed by letting down a curtain. I chose that room because it is the coolest in summer and it's my little boys room (he still thinks Taco is his but his mine really lol !)

As for his size he is roughly 15 to 20cm (that was measuring with a ruler against the glass when he was on the bottom stretched out) so I'm not sure how accurate that is or how old he is and if he will grow any bigger.

So thanks again for the replies, I think I will shop around for something a little bigger, I'm worried the poor fellow is bored out of his mind in there at the moment.

Kind regards
Sammie.

 

[sammie68]

It looks a little bit small to me so you better start saving for a bigger tank. Plus axies are addictive so you will want more than 1 . trust me you will.

Lol I agree, I think I'm already addicted all I have done today (my day off work I was going to mow the lawn) is look at him and then come back here to ask questions. And yes I think I will go with a bigger tank so I can add sand, plants and better hidie holes for him.

 

[Minniechild]

Carson, please don't be so sharp on smaller tanks. I do agree that if Sammy can upgrade, it's always a good move (Btw, ask around, there'll always be someone you know who has a tank to get rid of ), HOWEVER, please remember that The Axolotl Colony, which has for years been considered a very reputable source by the members of this site keeps its axolotls in 4L/1Gal of water. Not to mention being very judgmental can have the effect of driving people away, disregarding EVERY piece of advice given, even the positive. Perhaps try giving advice in a positive way such as how Bren has done to avoid this
Sammy, from my own experience with a small tank (20L), it can be done, you just have to be VERY careful of making sure you watch water parameters and keep plenty of hides available (A good guide is you should be removing a minimum of 2L/day or 20% per week (Whichever is larger). But you will, without a doubt, want a bigger tank at some point (And some more axies ). I'm currently at 15 (seven of whom will most likely be off to new homes soon!), but I still want MORE!!

 

[carsona246]

I'm not being judgmental, just giving my personal advise. Is keeping an axolotl in 5 gallons of water possible, yes. Do I think it's ideal, no I don't. If you're going to be keeping an animal I think it's important to look at the requirements before you get the animal. Obviously the owner has done her research, and is just looking for clarification on whether the tank is large enough. I'm just giving my opinion that 5 gallons is not appropriate for life.
Just because the axolotl colony says 1 gallon per axolotl is enough to keep an axolotl does not mean I'm going to advise that for anyone.

 

[yellowpebble]

I think it depends more on floor space then litres or gallons personally, bacuse they like to walk around and do little swimming. I think it looks too small as well. Most people here have a soft spot for axolotls and want the perfect life for them, so we all think the bigger the better, even when other resources say less. When i first started i kept my two in a tank which was too small, and they seemed happy and they even bred. It depends on budget, and sometimes i think its the owner who cares more than the axolotl.

 

[sammie68]

Heh heh - i think the general consensus is - Sammi has to buy a bigger tank (and the safe money is another axie or two as well...)

Lol - yes your right Blackdog, a bigger tank is defiantly being added to the budget and very seriously considering another axie. First of all I want to make sure we can look after Taco and keep him happy and healthy. Also as Carson said I was looking for clarification about the tank and now I'm absolutely certain that I'm going to get a bigger tank.

So thank you each and everyone of you for your great advice.

Regards
Sammie.

 

[iChris]

you'll find it much easier keeping axies in a bigger tank, but it can be done in a smaller tank with religious cleaning of the tank itself and monitoring the water chemistry.

a bigger tank gives you so many options to create a stunning tank.

 

[cml]

Carson, please don't be so sharp on smaller tanks. I do agree that if Sammy can upgrade, it's always a good move (Btw, ask around, there'll always be someone you know who has a tank to get rid of ), HOWEVER, please remember that The Axolotl Colony, which has for years been considered a very reputable source by the members of this site keeps its axolotls in 4L/1Gal of water. Not to mention being very judgmental can have the effect of driving people away, disregarding EVERY piece of advice given, even the positive. Perhaps try giving advice in a positive way such as how Bren has done to avoid this
Sammy, from my own experience with a small tank (20L), it can be done, you just have to be VERY careful of making sure you watch water parameters and keep plenty of hides available (A good guide is you should be removing a minimum of 2L/day or 20% per week (Whichever is larger). But you will, without a doubt, want a bigger tank at some point (And some more axies ). I'm currently at 15 (seven of whom will most likely be off to new homes soon!), but I still want MORE!!

I think this is a very important post, and it doesnt really have to be about this specific case but more in a general sense, regarding ALL members here on our forums. A few times too often i find that the tone is way too harsh on these boards , even when meaning well. We need to be supportive towards our newer members, rather than driving them off.

 

[HappySkittles]

20 liters is the equivalent of 5 gallons right? that's way too small. I recommend at least a 20 gallon tank. Also, I'm sure you understand the cycling process, but just to make sure, how exactly did you cycle your tank? It usually takes more than a few weeks to cycle a fish tank.

I cycled a marine tank in one week...30 gallons too...some people may need to wait for 4 months for the same exact tank

Cycles can vary. That's why you test the water frequently the track the cycle.

As for sharpness/tone
In my opinion, plain text has no tone. If you read it as harsh then that was mainly your mind making it sound harsh. I get that "GOSH YOU ARE SO MEAN" stuff all the time D: and all I do is literally list facts. Short comments (less fluffy words) seem to be taken as "mean", "rude" etc.

 

[danchristopher]

As for sharpness/tone
In my opinion, plain text has no tone. If you read it as harsh then that was mainly your mind making it sound harsh. I get that "GOSH YOU ARE SO MEAN" stuff all the time D: and all I do is literally list facts. Short comments (less fluffy words) seem to be taken as "mean", "rude" etc.

While text may not have a tone it is certainly be used to convey a sense of emotion, which is why less fluffy words are taken as mean/rude. If someone writing a romance story was to just write really uninspired flat text it would certainly come across different to the reader than someone writing a fluffy piece?
Obviously we are on a forum for axolotls in which people are looking for facts and answers so it's appropriate but I definitely think that people can come across harsher than they might intend (tbh looking through older threads from years ago some people tend to sound pretty mean in my opinion, haha). I imagine most of the time it is not on purpose but it can still be taken the wrong way D;
/endrant

As for Taco and his tank - I had two axies in a really small tank when I got them cause I didn't know any better, as soon as I realized it was small I upgraded and I am sure they are eternally grateful Plus aquascaping is fun!
So its good to hear that you're thinking of upgrading - eBay is your friend!! There are always listings for cheap tanks, I got mine off Gumtree which could work as well
And as everyone has said you will want more!! If I had more space I would definitely be getting another tank to fill with axies but alas, the burden of apartment living!
I wish you and Taco all the best

 

[carsona246]

while I'm glad everyone wants to keep the forum friendly, I was in no way intending to sound judgmental or harsh. I was just trying to post my opinion, and I think everyone is reading a little too far into the intent behind my words.
I have definitely seen people on this forum flame op's for far less than having a small tank, and I don't exactly appreciate being called out on being "harsh", when there was nothing in my post that I really see as being extremely judgmental. I can appreciate the intent to keep people from flaming new posters in order to avoid running them off, but calling other members out on their tone when the op is clearly not taking offense is really not helpful or beneficial.

 

[Jake]

20 liters is the equivalent of 5 gallons right? that's way too small. I recommend at least a 20 gallon tank. Also, I'm sure you understand the cycling process, but just to make sure, how exactly did you cycle your tank? It usually takes more than a few weeks to cycle a fish tank.

Kentucky University (the Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center) houses many of their adults in squat fish bowls that hold much less than 5 gallons and have been doing so for decades since the colony was located in Indiana. These animals are not normally active except when breeding and when kept in poor water. The only reason a larger tank would be necessary is if the keeper is unable (or unwilling) to take out regular water changes, larger tanks dilute the massive amounts of waste that they produce.

Cycling the tank is not necessary if the keeper decides to do regular water changes.

 

[carsona246]

true, but we're not talking about someone keeping axolotls for scientific study. We're talking about hobbyist's for whom it would be impractical, or just plain annoying to do daily waterchanges on a tank. So while I never said it wasn't possible to keep axolotls in less than 5 gallons, I don't advise it for hobbyists.
While cycling is not necessary it certainly makes things easier for the regular hobbyist. I can understand the point that cycling isn't necessary, but I don't know why anyone would argue that it isn't beneficial. I was really just clarifying on the op's method of cycling, because many newbies think keeping a filter without an ammonia source running on a tank for a week is considered cycling. I just wanted to make sure the op did not have this common misconception so that she wouldn't experience an ammonia spike and wonder what happened.

 

[theJATM]

i noticed you have snails in the tank? thats the kind of snail i suspect killed reynolds. just a suggestion, id take the snails out. which stinks because snails do a great job cleaning tanks.