Question: Not sure if I am doing this right or not...

[kapooey]

I have two axies for...i will say over 4 months, they were in separate tank before and now I put them together in a 10 gallons tank.

The problem is I didn't cycle the tank, BUT I do keep an eye on the water chemicals. The thing I am worry about is the nitrite and the nitrate.

Here's the test I just did:
pH: 7.6
Ammonia:0.25-0.5
Nitrite:2.0-4.0
Nitrate: 5.0

I know it does look something wrong with those numbers...esp the Nitrite. I do water change(around 25%) twice a week...

Any suggestions?

I also have a filter and a chiller. I didn't plug in the chiller yet because I am still waiting for the pumps and the tubing.

the filter that I am using:
Tetra Whisper EX power filter
flow rate 110/416
max. Aq. size: 20/75

 

[PatchworkClocks]

If you're cycling the tank with them in it, you need to be doing 20-30% water changes daily. As the cycle becomes established, you can change the water less, but until then you need to stay on top of it.

Also, 10 gallons is much too small for two axolotls. Axolotls need 10 gallons of space each, plus room for decor and filter and what have you. That being said, a 30 gallon would suit them much better.

 

[auntiejude]

Your tank is not cycled, and those parameters look too high to me. You need to do daily water changes and maybe get hold of some 'quick start bacteria' to speed things up. Your axies are at risk if they are constantly exposed to high levels of ammonia (the most toxic of the 3).

Or you could put your axies back in their tubs and cycle the tank properly.

Why did you not cycle your tank fiirst?

 

[kapooey]

Rhiannon: I am doing 20-30% water change now. But the thing that I am wondering is my Ammonia is low( of coz not down to 0 yet), but the nitrate and nitrite is high. I read that these chemicals are from ammonia, but if my ammonia is not that high, why will those two chem. are high?? And i am trying to get a bigger tank coz my fd have big tank for me, just have to keep rushing him to get me the tank=/

auntiejude: I don't think the ammonia is extremely high, but i know the nitrite and nitrate are high. And I have no clue how to lower it down quick. I used to put them in a smaller tank with no filters and water change everyday(100% water change, caz the seller told me that she does that when my axies are babies). The reason why I didn't cycle the tank caz I don't know how to even tho I go through websites, I just don't know how. So I need to get like a kit? Or i need to put something in the tank???

 

[PatchworkClocks]

Rhiannon: I am doing 20-30% water change now. But the thing that I am wondering is my Ammonia is low( of coz not down to 0 yet), but the nitrate and nitrite is high. I read that these chemicals are from ammonia, but if my ammonia is not that high, why will those two chem. are high?? And i am trying to get a bigger tank coz my fd have big tank for me, just have to keep rushing him to get me the tank=/

auntiejude: I don't think the ammonia is extremely high, but i know the nitrite and nitrate are high. And I have no clue how to lower it down quick. I used to put them in a smaller tank with no filters and water change everyday(100% water change, caz the seller told me that she does that when my axies are babies). The reason why I didn't cycle the tank caz I don't know how to even tho I go through websites, I just don't know how. So I need to get like a kit? Or i need to put something in the tank???

Ammonia gets converted into nitrates/nitrites, which tend to sit in the water a bit unless you have live plants in the tank. These get balanced out with water changes. Because yours are so high, I would say you should probably go with 40-50% changes until the levels even out some more. You don't need anything special to cycle the tank, it will do that on its own as long as you keep on top of it with your water changes. During the process of starting a cycle, the ammonia and nitrites will spike for a time, and then will even out to 0, with very little nitrates still present. This can take a few weeks to a month or even up to two months. All depends on how you treat the tank during the time the cycle is starting.

 

[kapooey]

the ammonia is down to 0 now....but the nitrates and nitrites are VERY HIGH. i am not sure what to do about it.....my 2 little babies are living in a 100 gallons tank together now....I am trying to get a 55 gals tank asap...will that be related to this problem??

 

[Jen10s]

I'm a bit confused - are you still cycling the 10 gallon for them or are these readings from the 100 gallon they are currently in ?

Either way, I would continue with the daily water changes, your cycle sounds like it's under way but not quite there yet. Don't forget too that the good bacteria builds up in your filter media, decor, substrate & plants - not the water itself :happy:

 

[kapooey]

sorry for the confusion. it is a 10 gallon tank=p type too fast.

 

[layna]

Okay so if you are cycling your tank with the axies IN it, then all you need to do is;
1) Set it up with what it needs, air stone, filter and decor and buy a liquid test kit
2) Only turn the filter off when you are doing a water change
3) Clean out 30% water daily and replace with dechlorinated fresh water

If the water gets really high in ammonia, nitrITE or nitrATE then do a bigger water change but never do 100% if you are cycling/have cycled a tank.

The beneficial bacteria that a cycle creates live mainly in the filter, but also on the decor and tank walls and these are what make your tank water safe for you axies to live in, so its essential you do cycle your tank.
When you start to get readings of;
Ammonia - 0
NitrITE - 0
NitrATE - <40

Then you can start to only do a 30% water change once a week

If i was you i would start to cycle your bigger tank how i have told you above.
If you dont want to put your axies in the big tank yet then just add the water you have taken out of their 10 gallon into the big tank after every water change. Or buy some pure ammonia.

This is a really good site for cycling http://www.aquariumadvice.com/the-almost-complete-guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling/ - the only thing i would change is the 90% change at the end, instead do daily 30% until the nitrATE is less than 40ppm

10 gallons is far to small for to axies and this is why you have really high readings of everything, the bioload is too much for you tank to handle so its getting toxic levels

 

[kapooey]

i guess that's why the ammonia, nitrate and nitrite are high...=[ i don't reali have an other big tank to put them in how caz my dad is deciding to combine two 10 gallons tank....But i am trying to do at least 80% water change daily now=[

 

[layna]

Whilst they are in the little tank you will have to continue the daily water changes.
Have you looked on ebay or craigs list (if thats right) for a cheap second hand tank?
I got mine off ebay for £20 and its 3 foot!
Just make sure to clean it with hot water and vinegar and it will be fine.