Newbie questions..sorry..

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Srkoe

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I have been wanting to get an Axie for about 2 years now bit due to lack of info I decided not to. Well, I found this forum and am now convinced to take the leap. I've been reading for days and there is such a plethora of info that I am confused! I am not sure whether I want a 10 or 20 gallon tank yet but I know I plan on cycling got several weeks before getting my axie. So, ammonia has to be at 0 and what levels should nitrates and nitrites be at? Ph should be neutral, 7.0, right? I'm super confused on filters!!! I need inexpensive filter suggestions...are HOB filters okay as far as putting out a light current? Last thing I haven't really found much info on is what type of hood/lid should I use? An actual hood or a mesh topper??? What type of lighting is best if any at all? And what is the correct water temp? I know I found it somewhere, but can't find it now. Sorry if I'm being annoying, I just see conflicting info and it's confusing. Just want to do this right from the beginning! Thanks!
 
Srkoe said:
I have been wanting to get an Axie for about 2 years now bit due to lack of info I decided not to. Well, I found this forum and am now convinced to take the leap. I've been reading for days and there is such a plethora of info that I am confused! I am not sure whether I want a 10 or 20 gallon tank yet but I know I plan on cycling got several weeks before getting my axie. So, ammonia has to be at 0 and what levels should nitrates and nitrites be at? Ph should be neutral, 7.0, right? I'm super confused on filters!!! I need inexpensive filter suggestions...are HOB filters okay as far as putting out a light current? Last thing I haven't really found much info on is what type of hood/lid should I use? An actual hood or a mesh topper??? What type of lighting is best if any at all? And what is the correct water temp? I know I found it somewhere, but can't find it now. Sorry if I'm being annoying, I just see conflicting info and it's confusing. Just want to do this right from the beginning! Thanks!
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Get as big a tank as possible. Ammonia and Nitrites need to be at 0 and nitrate <20 preferably, any filter will work - as long as is suitable for the size of your tank, I have an internal myself but I'll leave prefernces up to others as I've never had other types. Sorry I can't help more, a hood will increase the temp by reducing evaporation but I have heard of axies jumping out the tank... so i'm afraid I'll leave that one up to someone else as well - water temp should be between 14 and 20 although 14's a little low and their metabolism will slow down and not be as active. Abouve 22 or so is stressful.
As for lighting, the only preference is not to have one thats too bright, axies don't have any eyelids :p

Its good to ask questions, and it's good that you want to be a responsible carer. So dont be sorry :)

axolotl.org is a great site... hav a look :)
Oh and if anyone sees anything here needs adding to or changing please do :)
 
I live in Texas so temp is a concern for me, that's why I'm not sure if a hood is a ghod idea. I don't want to buy something I won't end up using, don't want to waste money! Thanks for the quick reply and the link!
 
get at least a twenty gallon tank for one. Honestly I'd want more than twenty gallons for one axolotl, but a twenty would suffice. Luckily texas is pretty dry up there, and when I visited my family for christmas adding a clip on fan lowered the temperature in my twenty gallon to 58 degrees. More than low enough. If you have ac, and a clip on fan you should be fine temperature wise. Buy a screen lid, not a glass one, it allows for evaporation. Google nitrogen cycle, and start doing research. If you understand the nitrogen cycle you will be much more prepared for taking care of anything aquatic. Don't worry about ph, it's best to not mess with it. You can have lights, but remember they dont have eyelids, so they need some shady spots, and you don't want to blast them with light.
 
So far I think I'm heading in the right direction. Where I live in Texas we actually have some pretty bad humidity in the summer. The store I'm getting my Axie from only has 2 so odds are they will be gone by the time I am ready for one. Fortunately they are readily available to the store so hopefully I will able to get one in the next 4-6 weeks assuming my tank is ready. I want to use some live plants anyways so I plan on also waiting for the plants to get a decent root system. Can y'all make a suggestion on some good plants/wood to watch out for. I hope to get the plants this weekend so I can get them quarantined before placing in the tank. Suggestions on quarantine and "cleansing"? The plants is also needed. Once again thanks!
 
For good plants, you actually have quite a few options. You could get Java Fern (beautiful), Elodeas, sword plants, and Ceratophyllum Demersum. These are all hardy, beautiful, and require less light than most plants. As for cleansing, it depends on type of substrate you are using. For sand and gravel, you need a gravel siphon. You can also choose to have a bare-bottomed tank, which is very low-maintenance.

I think you said something about filters? Honestly, anything with very little or no current is great.

PS~make sure you create some hiding spaces. Axies need some places to feel secure.

The thing you should worry about most here is temperature. You live in Texas, and Axolotls like it no more than 67 degrees. Any more than that and they may become ill and die.

Good luck!! :D
 
Have you read through the Axolotl Site yet? This will help answer a ton of your newbie questions, and the forum is a wealth of information. The search function is located right above where you log in and check your notifications.

In addition to current with a filter, you should be concerned with wattage. The higher the wattage, the more the filter will warm your water.
 
Oh just a couple more things~

You do know what to feed your Axie, right? (check out Axolotl.org for info)

Also~Usually pet store animals aren't too healthy. You could always look in the Advertisements section to find a good breeder. There are many breeders on the site, and they will sell you a healthy captive-bred Axolotl.
 
I'd also recomend you not buy from a petstore. Water wisteria is without a doubt my favorite filter plant. I've seen it at many petstores so you should be able to find it locally. I've never quarentined plants before, I usually just wash them off in some dechlorinated water, and check for snails.
 
First of all don't apologize! We like questions. I have about a million and everyone on here has been great in answering them. I'm just getting started like you, and chose a 20 gallon. Now that it is all filled with plants and hiding spots I am finding it a bit small. Although it is acceptable, if I had a re-do I would go bigger so there would be a bit more swim space.

For the filter flow I'm still learning but I have seen a few threads here where people made it not as "intense" by using soda bottles to cut down the flow. I think it was a few threads down. :)
 
I'm kinda Leary about petstores myself. I'm hoping that once my tank is ready someone will have some Axies fs here. Are there any other reputable resources I can buy from that y'all can suggest? I'm going to the pet store I speak of this weekend to check it out. It's an hour drive from me, will that be an issue as far as transporting an Axie if I do get one from there? It's suppose to be a very reputable store. I spoke with several staff workers over the phone and they are very knowledgeable. Plan on getting some plants from them this weekend. I found a great deal on a 20 gallon yank on craigslist that I am going to pick up in about an hour. Comes with a filter, hood, lights, decloritator and some other things I don't need...lol! But sounds like an awesome deal, what do y'all think about the price?
 
Yo get a 20gal, 10gals is way too small a tank for an adult axie in my opinion. My axie grew too big for his 15gal after 3months of owning him, ive still only had him under a year and he is coming up to 14"/just under 40cm, if i knew they grew so quick there is no way i would have wasted my money on a small tank! If poss go even bigger then you can get more than one axie in there in the future!
 
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