PLEASE HELP! Sick Axie??

[Axolotl_My David ❤️]

Hi, I’m new here btw.

I’ve had my Axolotl, David, for about 6 months now and he is probably 7-8 months old. He has been stressed ( shedding oil coat ) and his gills don’t look well. I’ve been away for a week with my Mum looking after him. I believe that his gill problem is due to low Ph levels. The Ph is at 6.6. I’ve been adding a few drops of Ph Up API (brand). And it hasn’t changed. I changed up his tank decoron the 3rd of October doing a big water change. I still left his old tank water in there tho. I think that could’ve been what affected the Ph? I also sometimes give him a few live Neon Tetras as a treat as he loves them and smashes them out in like 1 hour. There has been only one left and he usually, like I said, eats them very quickly. I’m not sure if he just doesn’t want it or if he just likes its company? Tho Axolotls are solitary creatures. But back to his gills. His left gill is worse with the middle gill stem’s filaments almost all gone. I haven’t ever seen anything like this. His eyes are also, like, glazed over? He also used to swim up to the glass to see me and he doesn’t do that anymore. He hasn’t been as affectionate since the tank change I’m also having to leave every second week, he is getting looked after and fed and the ph drops. I’m really worried about him as he means the world to me. I really want some help and experienced advice. I’ll post pictures below of his gills and his eyes and his tank.And with the gravel, he is fine. I was worried about it but he has been fine and still pooing. I would really love some help. Thank you

 

[wolfen]

what are your other tank levels ie.. temperature, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, kh, gh.
your substrate isn't good and may pose a impaction risk, gravel is a known hazard.
was the tank originally cycled properly (any issues due to lack of kh and potential of plummeting ph should have been picked up on), due to the low ph the tank may/will need re-cycling, he will need tubbing whilst it is doing so, use bicarbonate of soda to correct the tanks ph level.
use 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate in any water holding your axolotl.

 

[Axolotl_My David ❤️]

Hi,
Thank you for replying! The ammonia, nitrites were at 0.0 the last time I checked ( 1 week ago ). I’m not to sure about the Kh and gh.
I understand about the gravel but he has had it for awhile and he’s been fine and I don’t think I’m in the spot to change it. If he does show signs of impaction I’m sure to change it.
With the re cycling, how long will it take ( as I am away at my dads every 2nd week)? And when tubbing I put him in the fridge, right? I’m just worried that it might get to cold. ( sorry for the bunch Of questions, he is my first and I don’t want to muck anything up ) Is the bicarbonate soda just normal super market Bi-carb soda? Also what is the holtfreters and where can u get that and the magnesium sulphate. Also would I add that into the tub that David will be held in? And when I tubbed David for his tank redesign he hated it and he would really eat for a few days so I wouldn’t want him to be tubbed for ages. U know what I mean?
I’m sorry for the bunch of questions.

 

[wolfen]

if the tank was originally cycled to 4ppm ammonia it shouldn't hopefully take long and can be re-cycled at 2ppm.
50% holtfreters is a salt/mineral solution (ingredients are.. 1.75-2g/l non-iodised salt, 0.1g/l bicarbonate of soda, 0.05g/l calcium chloride, 0.025g/l potasium sulphate, plus 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate), it provides essential salt/minerals whilst protecting against common ailments plus improving ph, it can sometimes be brought online as a modified solution (normally weaker with some ingredients missing though) but it is quite easy to make although ingredients are easier to procure online.
bicarbonate of soda is baking soda, magnesium sulphate is normally known as epsom salts.
it's preferable not to fridge unless absolutely necessary (if there is no choice but to fridge try to turn up thermostat ie.. around 8°c)

 

[Axolotl_My David ❤️]

Sorry for taking so long.

If I was to recycle the tank, maybe 4 days??
So if Im not wrong, I’ll take David out and tub him. To his tank: Add the 50% Holtfreters ( I’ll probably buy it online ), I’ll add baking soda and I think my mum has some epsom salts. Is that right? I might also need the measurements. David’s tank is 80L. And I won’t fridge David unless i need to. And do I do complete water changes every day for David’s tub water? I’ll try to feed him normally but he didn’t eat last time I tubbed him ( that was only an hour or two ). Is that what I should do? Thanks

 

[wolfen]

holtfreters normally contains bicarbonate of soda and shouldn't require additional (if brought online check ingredients as modified holtfreters ingredients can differ), more info here.. Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity
make sure the epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) is pure ie.. unscented etc..
50% holtfreters for a 80 litre is 160 grams non-iodised salt (at 2g/l), 8 grams bicarbonate of soda, 4 grams calcium chloride, 2 grams potassium chloride, 4 grams magnesium sulphate.
whilst tubbed he will require daily water changes, feed at night change water in morning, ensure that a lid is placed on top to prevent jumping out (allow for air holes).

 

[Axolotl_My David ❤️]

I’m so sorry to ask again,

Am I just adding 160g Holtfreters or the holtfreters and the 8g of bicarbonate of soda,4g calcium ect? And if it is just the holtfreters I’ll also add the pure epsom salts?
I’m sorry if this is annoying I’m just a bit confused and don’t want to get it wrong.
Thanks

 

[wolfen]

this is how to make 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate for your tank... "50% holtfreters for a 80 litre is.. 160 grams non-iodised salt (at 2g/l), 8 grams bicarbonate of soda, 4 grams calcium chloride, 2 grams potassium chloride, 4 grams magnesium sulphate."

 

[Axolotl_My David ❤️]

Thanks, where can I buy that stuff? Just eBay?

 

[wolfen]

It should be quite easy to get the salts/minerals from ebay.

 

[Axolotl_My David ❤️]

Ok, also did you say I can buy the solution as just the whole thing instead of buy all the other ingredients and mixing it? If yes, were could I buy that?

 

[Axolotl_My David ❤️]

Is there any quicker and more efficient way? I’ve just tried to feed David and he has only had 1 piece of his food and refused the rest. He used to eat like a dog, always scrambling for more. And I go away on a holiday I’m 2 weeks and I’m away next we with my parent looking after him. Would just adding the Epsom salts work? I’ve heard that that works to help harden the water.

 

[wolfen]

epsom salts will improve the gh but won't bring the kh/ph up, magnesium is an essential mineral which is why it is added to holtfreters, it can be used separately.
sometimes you can get holtfreters solution from ebay but it tends to be a modified solution (sometimes similar to johns solution or with other minerals removed), seachem replenish can be used to improve gh (replenish contains a low level of salts/minerals and is good as a quick solution but is expensive for long term use, will require separate kh/ph buffer), a ph/kh buffer can be brought to improve ph/kh but can be expensive compared to using bicarbonate of soda to improve/buffer kh/ph.

 

[Axolotl_My David ❤️]

ok then, What should I type up on eBay to buy it? I tried typing up ‘Holtfreters solution’ ‘Holtfreters’ but nothing came up. Is it called something else?
Also do you think David will be ok? He doesn’t seem to well. He isn’t eating much. I’m really worried.
How long will it take for his water to reach 7.4??

 

[wolfen]

doesn't look like ebay.com.au have it.
is he being tubbed right now or is he in his tank?
add 2g/l non-iodised salt to any water he is in.
if he isn't in the tank then the ph can be increased straight to 7.4-7.6 by adding bicarbonate of soda until ph is 7.4-7.6, if he is in the tank the ph will have to be brought up slowly.

 

[Axolotl_My David ❤️]

David is in his tank right now as I haven’t done much to the tank cos I wasn’t sure. I can take him out and tub. Would pink Himalayan salt work? It’s just pure. If not I’ll go buy some non idodised salt. I have Bicarb soda that I can use but I think it’s out of date. Again I can get more if I need to.

 

[wolfen]

until the ph is corrected and the cycle tested he would be better tubbed.
himalayan salt is fine, baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) is fine even past it's date provided it is kept dry.