Just got my first set up for my first axies

[adelle]

Ok, so im getting one or two axolotls soon, and I bought the whole setup last friday. I got the tank, lid, sand gravel, a couple of plants and a filter. The tank came with aquasafe treatment (i think its called that) and some other treatment (cant remember name) and i treated the water. I didnt have anything to let the water sit in to treat it before adding it to the tank, so after every 2 galllons I put in the required amount into the tank. I did the other treatment next day. I checked with the pet shop and they said its fine and as long as the waters been sitting for a while itll be fine for them anyway.
So now its monday and the tank is starting to look cloudy. Looks kinda green too, (but not algie green). nothings in there and the plants are fake. The pet shop said itll clear soon cos its part of the treatment maturing process. She said itll be fine to bring a sample of the tank water in tomorrow to test it seeing as im going that way and maybe i can get them tomorrow. i know its not a week yet but its worth trying. I had to turn the filter up today though cos i thought maybe that would help clear it a little. I had condensation in it this morning but the shop said that wont effect them or the maturing process. I must get a temprature strip too for the tank when i get them.
Im going to the library first before the shop tomorrow so i hope the sample will be ok, and i can get them. so does it sound like everythings ok with that i got and what ive done? very nervous in case i cant have them even though they said its all fine and ive done it all right.

Oh also another quesiton i really want answered is even though the shop said today the waater will be cloudy and i explained to her it looked a little green, im worried. i havnt got anything else here except that treatment stuff. i put all of what i need to put in with both of those as i was setting it up and all, and checked with the shop all i did was fine, but now theres no bubbled hanging onto the side of the tank or the filter. i dont know if thats cos i was messing with the speed of the filter trying to clear it faster or most likely its cos its cloudy. is this normal and is there anything i can do. i am worried i wont be able to get them tomrorrow or thrusday or even at all if it stays cloudy. the shop said theres no need to change the water cos it will go cloudy, theres nothing living in there, plus i just set it up not long ago. forgive me if im worrying too much. its just these creatures are rare over here and i dont wanna miss my chance.

Maybe some smoke got in the tank when i opened it earlier to do the filter? it wasnt open long and the lid when shut dosnt have all those vent things in it so i think its probably unlikely, but we do smoke alot.

(Message edited by blackrose_uk on April 09, 2007)

(Message edited by blackrose_uk on April 09, 2007)

 

[kapo]

<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1>Quoting Adelle King on Monday 09 April 2007 - 15:10 (#POST127677):</font>

with aquasafe treatment (i think its called that) and some other treatment (cant remember name) and i treated the water. <!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>

The only treatment you need is something that removes chlorine and chloramines from tapwater. YOu do not need anything called "cycle", pH up or down, ammolock or nitrazorb.

So as long as you have a water conditioner to treat your tapwater you should be fine.

Despite what petshops say, they are not always correct, so be aware that what they tell you is not entirely true, and some will deny it, they are after all trying to sell you a product or pet (it is a business after all).

<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1>Quoting Adelle King on Monday 09 April 2007 - 15:10 (#POST127677):</font>

I checked with the pet shop and they said its fine and as long as the waters been sitting for a while itll be fine for them anyway. <!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>

They're wrong, what they haven't told you, or don't know themselves is that the tank needs to be cycled prior to adding your axolotls. see: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml

Cycling/the nitrogen cycle establishes a good bacteria to aid in the tank cleaning.

If you are new to owning tanks of any sort then the best thing is to cycle your tank beforehand to ensure you get everything right and don't have problems with your axolotls, especially if the petshop is giving you incorrect information (most petshops do especially where axolotls are concerned.)

Petshops will probably fob you off and/or tell you its not needed or sell you a product (which by the sounds of things they have) to speed the cycle of your tank!

If you're unclear/unsure ask here and someone will help/advise.

Cycling can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 8 weeks.

If you can afford to spend some money and buy the freshwater test kits prior to buying your axies so you can cycle your tank/keep track of things then it will be the best investment, you do. The test kits you need are for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. You can buy a Freshwater master test kit set which contains all these test kits plus low pH and high pH range.

I can understand your excitement/eagerness to buy an axolotl or two as soon as possible, but just be patient until the tank is cycled; otherwise if you jump the gun then you will find that there will be far more work involved than just one waterchange a week (as the tank is uncycled you would have to do DAILY 20-30% partial waterchanges to keep the tankwater safe for your axie to live in whilst cycling).

<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1>Quoting Adelle King on Monday 09 April 2007 - 15:10 (#POST127677):</font>

but now theres no bubbled hanging onto the side of the tank or the filter<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>

sorry, no idea what you're talking about!

Do you have gravel or sand? (if gravel - I'd suggest changing to sand or no substrate/bare floor - axies when eating or "hunting" for food snuffle in the substrate, opening their mouth to suck in the "food", invariably gravel and sand gets sucked in. Sand is small enough to pass through them. Gravel will pass through them, but it can also cause problems over time like blockages which at worst can lead to a prolapse and possible death. (4 of ours that had been on gravel/glass pebbles over a year ago are still pooing gravel out - we have quite a collection in our potplants; we're lucky that they didn't get blocked but it can happen)

What sort of filter do you have - axies don't like too strong a current, it can stress them.

Yes, get a thermometer especially before your summer sets in. Axies don't do very well in temperatures of 23-24C +; below 20C is preferable.

What size tank do you have? (measurements please L x W x Height I'm terrible on gallons/litres)

Have you visited: www.axolotl.org

(Message edited by kapo on April 09, 2007)

 

[adelle]

thankyou yes i have visited that site. i have sand type gravel. its very fine just like sand.
I am unsure of the measurements at the moment as i cant find my tape measure but i know its 24inches long. the bubbles i was on about are the ones that started appearing not long after i set it all up...clingy bubbles...like you get on your skin when in water or cold drinks etc/objects underwater. i will get a water test kit as soon as possible, hopefully tomorrow. and if i do end up getting them i will do anything necessary to keep them well.
the shop will test the sample anyway. they seem a good shop and dont push you into buying uneeded things. hopefully the test should prove ok. the tank seems to be clearing a little slowly now, but theres still condensation above the water and in the sand. i dont own a light in the tank, so dont need a condensation tray. it was morning condensation. i got a filter with i think three stages on it (i will have to look up name of it) and we got it on the slowest one at the moment. is that best or best to have it going fast until they get here cos it may stir up the sand? The filter is just moving the surface of the water abit. (like little gentle waves)

I will certainly mention the cycle thing to the pet shop. they did say it could take a few weeks depending ont he size of the tank etc. But it can vary even on a small tank. thats why they need to test it first.

 

[kapo]

Sorry, must be hour of night (here!) been working on a late project!

Anyway, yes I know the bubbles you mean.

It's the gas from the water - you know when you fill a glass and see the bubbles then they disappear? Water when treated and before you do a waterchange should be left for about a half hour - hour minimum so it degasses (bubbles disappear) and also allows it to come to same room temp as your tankwater. If you don't have a bucket/plastic tub invest in a cheap one from Woolies or B&Q so you can let your water rest after adding the water conditioner.

I've cycled several tanks over the last 18+months, all varying sizes (2foot - 4.5foot long). My quickest one was one of our larger tanks (only because I transferred a couple of the decos/plastic plants that had come from cycled/established tanks plus aded axie poo every few days into it (it took 3weeks).

 

[adelle]

so when the bubbles disappear and the tank goes cloudy the treatments settling in, the waters going to room temp and getting ready to be suitable for the axies?

 

[kapo]

The cloudiness may be the sand if it's settling.

The bubbles disappearing is normal when tapwater degasses/settles.

Don't add any other chemicals other than the tapwater conditioner (treating for chlorine and/or chloramines) Anything else will muck any cycling up. What is the other bottle of treatment you have that the petshop sold you. Don't use it as it will just muck up any cycling your tank will go through.

Do you know anyone with an established healthy tank (not the petshop); that you could take some gravel and/or filter media from to put in your tank? if you do ask them for some gravel (cupful), ensure it's kept wet with the tankwater it came from; to ensure the good bacteria doesn't die off. Then put it in your tank - this can help cycle your tank.

If you don't have access to any, then go with the method mentioned on the cycling link to cycle your tank or a small cube of raw meat - drop it in your tank.

Don't forget to get a thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature; ensure the tank isn't near any heaters/direct light sources (lamps/windows etc...) as these can heat the tankwater up. Axies prefer cool temperatures if its cold, down to 5C.

Suitable is cycled tank (after several weeks) and temperature below 20C.


As long as you don't rush things along to try and get your axies sooner; then you will have happy axies, instead of the drama of an uncycled tank and stressed axies.

 

[adelle]

thanks. the other treatment is easybalance. it says to treat it once a week with that. i did treat it the morning after I set it up. The day before that I treated it with Aquasafe.
Aquasafe i had to put 5ml in after every2 gallons (i got 12 gallons in tank...i think the equilvilant to a gallon is a litre) and with the easybalance i had to add something like 2.5ml every 2.2gallons, but i added 2.5ml every 2gallons cos im no good with decimals etc.
i havnt used them since.
aquasafes description is it immediantly makes it a safe environment for your fish.

 

[kapo]

Ok the aquasafe is the waterconditioner, continue to use that when treating water.

Don't use the easy balance as when you cycle your tank this can muck things up, what does it say it does?

 

[shelly]

hi adelle,

use king british water conditioner as i have found it to be the best. a lot cheaper as well as only a few drops will go a long way. im often up in coleford/milkwall so if you ever need help or you want some mature filter gunk/sponges give a shout as its not to far from newport.

 

[connor]

Dunno if anyones mentioned this,cant be bothered to read ALL the posts! But,the green tinge may be a form of algae(although you think it may not). Is your tank near a window where its got no backgroung or anything. Mines on my winow ledge but its got background all over it and polysterene sheets to keep it cool,except for the front/viewing glass. This happened to my main commhunity fish tank,it didnt have a background on it so the sun could easily get to it,and it turned a greeny/tea colour. But,if you have bogwood, you may not have soaked it long enough before adding it to the water. I think mine was a combo of both,the bogwood only being soaked for 3 days and the sun...it was a teay green colour lol
SO if it can be reached by the sun and you dont have a background put one on!!!!!
The cloudy water you were talking about is knwo asw bacterial bloom. I know people sa not to add stuff like nutrafin cycle but if you were to add that,then that would calm down the bacteria and give them soemthing to feed on until you add the axie,where it will fully begin to start the cycling process.
WHen i cycle fish tanks i always use cycle stuff and i never get cloudy water or deaths!
JUst leave it to settle down,the only thing i would advise is if it is still cloudy is to add the cycle stuff and if its still green get a background and you can get this algae water stuff which will clear it up

 

[connor]

Oh yeah,if you do daily water changes whilst cycling that would jsut take out the bacteria that you need to establish in the tank! And if you say not to use cycle stuff then how would you get that bacteria back....?
That makes no sense...
If you have a mature fish tank then add ornaments from that tank intot eh tank that needs cycling. ANd if theres a filter in there,squeeze some of the sponge in the axie tank then youll have loadsa bacteria in the tank already! Just make sure theres no diseases or that you havent used any meds in there in the past few weeks!

 

[kaysie]

Connor, the bacteria that are beneficial to cycling live on surfaces, not suspended in the water column.

That 'cycle' stuff is a bottle of dead bacteria. It's completely worthless. The bacteria that you need are introduced through air and dust, or through your hands, tank decorations, filters, etc.