Question: Problems with keeping the tank clean

[KibosJ]

So this is our first post onto this forum...and its a problem I'd really like to sort ASAP.

We got our Axie (Kip) a week ago (4-5inches long), and the tank he is in a few days before. We filled the tank with water, used AquaSafe solution and put the filter in, and had it running from the time we bought it, to when Kip was put in.

All is going well at the moment and all the water tests appear fine. He seems to be really dirty though, the water goes a greeny colour and stays that way (after a water change) but doesn't seem to get any worse, it stays the same sort of colour all the time, you can however see right to the bank of the tank without problems.

We bought a new filter to go into the tank because the old one (aqua one 102f) didn't seem to be doing a thing at all since putting the Fluval U1 into the tank the water seems to have cleaned up quite a lot, but still doesn't seem 'perfect' if this is even possible?

I've checked his tail and gills, the tail isn't bent at the end and his gills don't seem to be forward. He is quite lively and moves around the tank quite a lot and he feeds well too.

We feed him daily and he eats it all up pretty quickly without any problems.

We'd like a few suggestions on how to keep the water perfectly clean, if possible and methods of cleaning too .

Thanks

 

[totallyrad]

well welcome to the forum first of all

what substrate do you have in the tank? pieces of wood? rocks? There is probably something in the tank
that is mucking the water up. You shouldn't already have problems a week or two into the tank.
are you doing water changes weekly of about 20 percent of volume? also how big is the tank?

You said your axolotl appears dirty. Is there like some scum on him or something? or did you mean he makes the tank really dirty. They do excrete a lot of waste so you really need to suck it out with a turkey baster or something whenever you see poo in the tank. Also I don't know if you have live plants but you should really invest in a few easy to grow plants to help water quality, plus it makes the tank look nice and your axolotl should appreciate them.

 

[ZombieAxolotl]

Welcome!

to add a question, is this tank near a window or any nautral light source?
or do you have a light with a high kelvin on it? (like a gro- light)

It sounds like a bloom of algae if it's a green color.. Live plants will help with algae problems as they will use up the nutrients and ideally not leave any for unwanted algae growth.

If it is near natural light try the live plants, and possibly move the tank. If it's a gro-light swap it out with something with a lower kelvin. Marine lights usually have a lower kelvin, I personally don't like the blue glow of them on some tanks. Just take a look at the packaging. You can help to kill off a bloom by leaving the lights off for a period of time and doing water changes, with the add of the live plant.

Fluval's U series are AWESOME!!! I have a the U4 in my river tank and two U2's in a smaller tanks. I would definetly watch the output on that, as it might produce to much current. If you have a sandy/muddy substrate it could also stir it up and cause some cloudiness, but if it made it better that is prob not the problem.

 

[Jenste]

Also to point out - - your tank is not cycled. Letting the filter run a few days before introducing your axie did nothing but make bubbles in your tank. It takes WEEKS for a proper bacteria colony to grow in a filter and this is what processes your axololts waste.

Google "Fish In Cycling" - - it is the same exact procedure for cycling your tank whteher you have fish/axololts/aquatic frogs...what ever. The same factor is the filter that needs to be cycled.

Buying a new filter is not going to solve the problem - - there is no such thing as a filter sold cycled - - the bacteria dies very very fast if left instagnant water or let to dry out

 

[KibosJ]

well welcome to the forum first of all

what substrate do you have in the tank? pieces of wood? rocks? There is probably something in the tank
that is mucking the water up. You shouldn't already have problems a week or two into the tank.
are you doing water changes weekly of about 20 percent of volume? also how big is the tank?

We have no wood in the tank, a few rock objects and a stone feeding bowl.

You said your axolotl appears dirty. Is there like some scum on him or something? or did you mean he makes the tank really dirty. They do excrete a lot of waste so you really need to suck it out with a turkey baster or something whenever you see poo in the tank. Also I don't know if you have live plants but you should really invest in a few easy to grow plants to help water quality, plus it makes the tank look nice and your axolotl should appreciate them.

Should have worded that differently he isn't dirty, he just makes the tank really dirty.

Welcome!

to add a question, is this tank near a window or any nautral light source?
or do you have a light with a high kelvin on it? (like a gro- light)

It sounds like a bloom of algae if it's a green color.. Live plants will help with algae problems as they will use up the nutrients and ideally not leave any for unwanted algae growth.

If it is near natural light try the live plants, and possibly move the tank. If it's a gro-light swap it out with something with a lower kelvin. Marine lights usually have a lower kelvin, I personally don't like the blue glow of them on some tanks. Just take a look at the packaging. You can help to kill off a bloom by leaving the lights off for a period of time and doing water changes, with the add of the live plant.

Fluval's U series are AWESOME!!! I have a the U4 in my river tank and two U2's in a smaller tanks. I would definetly watch the output on that, as it might produce to much current. If you have a sandy/muddy substrate it could also stir it up and cause some cloudiness, but if it made it better that is prob not the problem.

He has natural light yeah and we have 3 live plants in the tank We have a sandy bottom, which I suppose could make the tank murky.

Also to point out - - your tank is not cycled. Letting the filter run a few days before introducing your axie did nothing but make bubbles in your tank. It takes WEEKS for a proper bacteria colony to grow in a filter and this is what processes your axololts waste.

Google "Fish In Cycling" - - it is the same exact procedure for cycling your tank whteher you have fish/axololts/aquatic frogs...what ever. The same factor is the filter that needs to be cycled.

Buying a new filter is not going to solve the problem - - there is no such thing as a filter sold cycled - - the bacteria dies very very fast if left instagnant water or let to dry out

The guy we bought the axolotl from said it should be fine

I hope we aren't making him unwell.

We have done freshwater API Master tests and they all come back fine. Nitrite, Nitrate etc... are all low.

We have done another partial water change last night and fed him and this morning the water seems a lot clearer.

If I've missed any questions/answers please let me know and I will try hard to answer them.

 

[Jenste]

What do you mean "fine - - all are low?"


Ammonia and Nitrite should never be above 0ppm
Nitrate should ideally never be above 20ppm

Any readings of ammonia and nitrite can make your axololt ill and require immediate water changes.

Post your exact readings here if you can and please look up "Fish-in cycling" to understand the cycling process

Also, don't be deceived by the color of your water - - clear water can still be toxic. Ammonia and nitrite have no color and can be present even in a perfect looking tank.

 

[KibosJ]

What do you mean "fine - - all are low?"


Ammonia and Nitrite should never be above 0ppm
Nitrate should ideally never be above 20ppm

Any readings of ammonia and nitrite can make your axololt ill and require immediate water changes.

Post your exact readings here if you can and please look up "Fish-in cycling" to understand the cycling process

Also, don't be deceived by the color of your water - - clear water can still be toxic. Ammonia and nitrite have no color and can be present even in a perfect looking tank.

Before we did the partial water change yesterday our results were:
Ammonia: 0.5ppm
Nitrite:0.0ppm
Nitrate:0.0ppm
Ph: 7.6
Temp: 18°c

What do we do? The guy told us it would be fine he's our first one so we can't put him in another tank :/

 

[Jenste]

best things is lots and lots of water changes and stop changing/messing with the filter. You need to leave the filter alone so it can build up a bacteria colony.

If you see readings of 0.5 on ammonia or nitrite, this means you need to do atleast a 50% (preferably a bit bigger) water change.

Any readings of ammonia or nitrite should trigger an instant water change from you. Test twice a day.

Pet stores are notorious for giving awful advice to get people to buy - you get attached, they sometimes con you into buying all these "treatments" and sooner or later a replacement animal.

Water changes are the best thing you can do - nothing beats fresh, clean water .

When it doubt, change it out! (corny, but it works!)

 

[KibosJ]

best things is lots and lots of water changes and stop changing/messing with the filter. You need to leave the filter alone so it can build up a bacteria colony.

If you see readings of 0.5 on ammonia or nitrite, this means you need to do atleast a 50% (preferably a bit bigger) water change.

Any readings of ammonia or nitrite should trigger an instant water change from you. Test twice a day.

Pet stores are notorious for giving awful advice to get people to buy - you get attached, they sometimes con you into buying all these "treatments" and sooner or later a replacement animal.

Water changes are the best thing you can do - nothing beats fresh, clean water .

When it doubt, change it out! (corny, but it works!)

Thank you very much I'm gonna do a water change now and see how things go.

One more question... Is it possible to do a FULL water change? How would I go about doing this?

Do I simply just take all the water out and put fresh water in? Is this safe for him?

Thanks again, much appreciated.

 

[Jenste]

What you want to do is siphon out the water - - you can pick up siphons, aka "gravel cleaners" at any pet store.

You always want to suck water out from the bottom - this is where waste and left over food settle so this is the key area to remove from.

When putting new water in, ALWAYS make sure you use a freshwater conditioner (also sold at any petstore) to remove chlorine etc from the water - 1) even trace amounts of chlorine will kill the bacteria colony you are trying to build in your filter 2) it is not good for your axie's skin.

You can do 100% water changes - but you should never have to. Once your tank is settled and cycled, about 25% done weekly should keep your tank happy and healthy.