Question: New Tank/Axies

[kanderson624]

Hi!

So I got my two axolotls about a month ago and they're doing well so far but I have a few concerns I'd like advice on.

I currently have my two axolotls in a US standard 10 gallon tank, and before you jump down my throat about it being too small let me explain the situation: my apartment wont allow a tank larger than 10g and my two axolotls were from a research lab and would have had to be put down if I hadn't adopted them. They've lived in smaller areas for the previous year or so of their lives so honestly this is an upgrade for them. I also intend to get a larger tank when I move, but that wont be for at least another year.

So I wanted some help on making sure that my tank cycles properly with the two axolotls in a smaller space. I have been using this filter from Petsmart:
Top Fin® Multi-Stage Internal Filter | Filters | PetSmart
but recently got a sponge filter from amazon:
Amazon.com : XY-2831 Air Pump Sponge Filter for Aquarium, Tank Size 10-gallon : Pet Supplies

So far with the in tank filter I've had some partial cycling, but I'm not super familiar with cycling a tank so I'm not sure if I just need to wait longer or what. I've been getting some nitrite and nitrate readings, so I know there are some bacteria but I wasn't sure if the in tank filter could handle it on it's own.
Currently I have them both running in the tank. Should I take out the in tank filter or just leave it until the sponge filter is colonized?

I also have a good amount of live plants that should be helping take up some of the nitrogen and I have some frogbits coming in the mail that should also help out.

So basically I'm just looking for suggestions to make the tank as safe as possible until I can upgrade it!

Thanks!

(PS the leucistic is Xochi and the WT is Chalco)

 

[Icyriah]

There's an article from Caudata about cycling And for that amount of water with two axolotls, I'd be concerned that they'd produce waste too quickly, but I haven't seen anything about it. All I've seen about tanks and axolotls is that you use x gallon tank for y axolotls, and that's it If it's possible, maybe speak to the apartment owner about allowing you to get a larger tank. To help aid cycling, try to get some materials from an established tank.

 

[DiscusDream]

That is a LOT of biological load for 10 gallons of water! Your tank is still in the cycling process. It can take up to 8 weeks to completely cycle. With that amount of waste in such a small tank, it is going to be difficult to maintain a balanced cycle. The best thing you can do is to do a water change at least every other day, 20-30%. DON'T wash any filter cartridges any time soon! When the time does come that you really need to rinse your cartridges, do only one filter, rinse it in TANK water that you have taken out for a water change. and place it back in. Wait a couple of weeks, then do the other one the same way. This will help maintain as much good bacteria as possible. Test your water OFTEN!!! Ammonia can and will spike up quickly in a small tank!! You may tweak your water change and filter cleaning schedule as you go, depending on how well your tests look, but that's how I would start. You may have to keep up the regimen until you can get them a larger tank......definitely keep up the testing as often as possible to be sure the ammonia and/or nitrates are in check!!

Let me know if you have any questions......I have been an aquatics hobbyist for many, many years!!