New here, help needed please!

[Charlotte93x1]

Hi I'm new here, and new to the axolotl world. My son was given an axolotl that needed rehoming and I admit I am very much inexperienced here.
The axie was transported here with all the water and everything from his previous owners house (so in theory tank conditions would be the same).
After allowing some time for him to settle, I noticed his gills are still slightly curled and he doesn't seem very happy. I have been testing the water frequently and ammonia and nitrates are still high despite treating the water as required.
I have done a lot of research on how to deal with this and I'm coming up blank.
(I have a slight feeling he wasnt very well cared for prior to rehoming as filter was absolutely vile, but he seems to be a good weight, just not overly happy)
Any help would be very much appreciated.

 

[wolfen]

what are the water parameters ie.. temperature, ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, kh gh if possible.
you mention filter being foul, how was this dealt with?
the bacteria that consume/convert ammonia/nitrites are mainly in the filter in an axolotl tank (due to lack of substrate), unless there is a bacteria bloom there is only a small percentage in the water.
whilst there are high levels of ammonia it would be better to tub him to prevent any harm coming to him.
apart from water changes what treatments are you using.

 

[Charlotte93x1]

what are the water parameters ie.. temperature, ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, kh gh if possible.
you mention filter being foul, how was this dealt with?
the bacteria that consume/convert ammonia/nitrites are mainly in the filter in an axolotl tank (due to lack of substrate), unless there is a bacteria bloom there is only a small percentage in the water.
whilst there are high levels of ammonia it would be better to tub him to prevent any harm coming to him.
apart from water changes what treatments are you using.

Hi, temp is 18degrees at the moment, ammonia is hanging around 1ppm, nitrites is 0, pH is 7.5, nitrate is between 40 and 80ppm. I rinsed the filter sponge out but not completely to try and maintain some bacteria. I have been using Api quick start and water conditioner as advised by the guy in the fish shop. He does also have a layer of sand in his tank that was there previously , not sure if this is relevant.
Thank you

 

[Charlotte93x1]

Hi, temp is 18degrees at the moment, ammonia is hanging around 1ppm, nitrites is 0, pH is 7.5, nitrate is between 40 and 80ppm. I rinsed the filter sponge out but not completely to try and maintain some bacteria. I have been using Api quick start and water conditioner as advised by the guy in the fish shop. He does also have a layer of sand in his tank that was there previously , not sure if this is relevant.
Thank you

I should also add, readings were high in the water before I touched the filter. We had had him 3 days before I touched the filter, and readings high on every day.

 

[wolfen]

your free ammonia (NH3) level at 1ppm TAN (NH3+NH4) is 0.0105ppm which is safe although not pleasant.
if the nitrates are increasing then the cycle is working (although at a reduced level) try and increase the amount of bio-media.
the sand would have release debris etc.. into the water due to being disturbed during the move (was it rinsed through?), make sure to regularly turn the sand over to prevent the build up of debris.
add 2g/l non iodised salt to the tank, this will help protect against the effects of ammonia.
what conditioner are you using? some conditioners lock the ammonia to make it less harmful but making it harder for bacteria to consume/convert, only use a dechlorinater and only test 24hrs after water change not before as the results can erroneous due to the breakdown of chloramines.
do 50% water changes once per week (no more than 50%) this can be increased to more changes per week to reduce nitrates but leave at least 48hrs between changes, always dechlorinate water before adding.

 

[Charlotte93x1]

your free ammonia (NH3) level at 1ppm TAN (NH3+NH4) is 0.0105ppm which is safe although not pleasant.
if the nitrates are increasing then the cycle is working (although at a reduced level) try and increase the amount of bio-media.
the sand would have release debris etc.. into the water due to being disturbed during the move (was it rinsed through?), make sure to regularly turn the sand over to prevent the build up of debris.
add 2g/l non iodised salt to the tank, this will help protect against the effects of ammonia.
what conditioner are you using? some conditioners lock the ammonia to make it less harmful but making it harder for bacteria to consume/convert, only use a dechlorinater and only test 24hrs after water change not before as the results can erroneous due to the breakdown of chloramines.
do 50% water changes once per week (no more than 50%) this can be increased to more changes per week to reduce nitrates but leave at least 48hrs between changes, always dechlorinate water before adding.

Sorry for not replying before, thought I had. Wanted to say a massive thank you for your help. Water levels are stable and seem to be doing much better now. Still trying to iron out a few kinks with getting him to eat well, but he seems happy enough. Thank you again.