New to this and failing miserably.

I too fell for the cycle in a bottle stuff. Based on experience, while it does not cycle your tank in the 3 days stated, it does kickstart your cycle by introducing all the necessary species of beneficial bacteria, just not in stable populations. You can verify this with a water test that will probably show that, while your ammonia is high, nitrite and nitrate are being produced. This is what happened for me at least. The ammonia spike ended after little over a week and I was able to keep my axolotl happy with daily 30% water changes. Less than 2 weeks after that and nitrites had fallen zero and the tank has been cycled ever since. Just maintain lots of water changes, optimize the other parameters (temperature, flow, etc), and learn from the experience. Keeping them in the largest tank/container available to you will also be safest as it allows more of a buffer before the ammonia concentration can reach toxic levels. Hope it goes well for you!
 
I put some (like 1/2) of the ceramic cylinders from my 55 gallon tank in the filter to give it a kick start on the bacteria, since I don't trust the bottled stuff now.
"allows for immediate addition of fish" really should be taken off the label... but Axolotl's arent fish either :/
 
p.s. survivor has pinked up nicely and is eating since being in his tupperware :)
 
You need bottled ammonia ... Dr tims one and only is great and is what I used so I can say it works. You are using water conditioner correct?
 
I am using a conditioner but I could use a recommendation since the one I used is the same brand as the "allows for instant addition of fish"
 
k9srgr8 said:
I am using a conditioner but I could use a recommendation since the one I used is the same brand as the "allows for instant addition of fish"
Click to expand...

API stress coat or just the API water conditioner are popular ones. I've never had a problem with any of API's products. Seachem prime is considered the 'best' water conditioner but it might halt your cycle since it detoxifies ammonia and nitrite.
 
well API was the brand I used... guess I will just keep on truckin'
 
Kaini said:
API stress coat or just the API water conditioner are popular ones. I've never had a problem with any of API's products. Seachem prime is considered the 'best' water conditioner but it might halt your cycle since it detoxifies ammonia and nitrite.
Click to expand...

I've heard some axos can have allergic reactions to most water conditioners..API is the most recommended. Go on Facebook and join "Axolotl land" you can read up a lot there.
 
Smokey0923 said:
I've heard some axos can have allergic reactions to most water conditioners..API is the most recommended. Go on Facebook and join "Axolotl land" you can read up a lot there.
Click to expand...

API being the most recommended because there haven't been any axos allergic to it.
 
Just wanted to post an update. It's been a year. My teenytiny lotl's are now 6" and doing well. They did quite well in the bins and grew quickly! I ended up having to move the tank so they stayed in bins until they were about 2.5" long at which point the tank was set up again and they had temporary housing in a 10 gallon tank with daily water changes (that was fun). The tank took 9 weeks to cycle using the ammonia as recommended but it was well worth it. They are now happy, healthy axolotls! Thank you for all of your help. If it weren't for you guys I would have given up on the chance to be owned by these fascinating creatures!
 
Heres some pics :)
IMG_0066_zps5zegywts.jpg


IMG_0875_zpseu8g5prm.jpg
 
I don't see how getting more and keeping them in a bin rather than an uncycled tank can hurt?
 
Glad to here a success story would recommend fattening those guys up a bit though they a bit lanky. What is there feeding schedule and what types of food are you giving?
 
I agree! i recently increased thier rations
 
Then be prepared, they may grow a little more as 6 inches is pretty tiny for a year old :) mine are not quite a year old and are over 8 inches closer to 9 now I think
 
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