Question: Ready To Go?

[Sean1364]

Sean... as I understand it (PH) Shannon is right when she says to leave it alone. It seems that the "PH Down" chemicals destroy the waters buffering ability which can cause the PH to fluctuate wildly and easily.

Sadly, the chemical was already put in. The question now is whether or not it's safe to let the Axolotls out into. The pH is still 7.8. The water is just very cloudy after putting the chemical in (and doing a 50% water replacement). I don't know if it's the chemical or the water change that is causing the cloudiness.

Is Wardley's Bullseye dangerous to Axolotls? It has left a bit of a whiteness on the sand, and the tank is still cloudy. I don't know whether to put the Axolotls in.

Also, is the shipping gel dangerous?

 

[Sean1364]

Ok, I got that stupid shipping gel in the tank, so I need to start over. How long can Axolotls live in the shipping plastic bags?

Edit: Is the cloudy water produced from black sand + water change a problem for Axolotls, or can they live happily in the cloudy, sandy water?

 

[kimko86]

I would think the cloudiness should dissipate over time by letting it settle to the bottom of the tank.

And what shipping gel are you talking about? The now thawed, frozen gel pack?

Oh and on the feeding part, you can safely feed them cut up night crawlers, about 3/4 inch pieces.
I have personally been feeding them the large pellets from the University of Kentucky, but I know they will eat bloodworms and night crawlers.
Kim

 

[Sean1364]

I would think the cloudiness should dissipate over time by letting it settle to the bottom of the tank.

And what shipping gel are you talking about? The now thawed, frozen gel pack?

Oh and on the feeding part, you can safely feed them cut up night crawlers, about 3/4 inch pieces.
I have personally been feeding them the large pellets from the University of Kentucky, but I know they will eat bloodworms and night crawlers.
Kim

Your Axolotls are doing very well. They've warmed up to their new location, they've been wild about the earthworms, and they seem happy, healthy and active. I think I'm finally getting the hang of this.

P.S. Yes, I was talking about the thawed frozen gel pack.

My only question now is whether I should leave the light on at all times, or turn it off at night.

 

[HMAxolotl]

THey dont really like light so it is best to leave it off as much as possible... I just got some new axolotls i think they are great have fun

 

[Sean1364]

THey dont really like light so it is best to leave it off as much as possible... I just got some new axolotls i think they are great have fun

The problem is, don't they hate rapid and dramatic changes in light even more? Is it okay to turn it off occasionally?

 

[tomkeogh]

It is recommended to only use lights if you need to. I.e for plants.

I found my two older axolotl to be getting more and more sensitive to light, but they are fine with hood off under a house light. a bulb may also heat the water slightly

 

[Sean1364]

Is it okay to turn it back on when I have company that I want to show them to, or when I need to feed them? My tank is very dark (black sand, black ornaments) that it's very difficult to see what I'm doing without the tank light.

 

[tomkeogh]

You gotta do what you gotta do....you can by a weak bulb a moonlight glow etc

 

[Shizeric]

I keep my light on about 6-8 hrs a day. But I have a some giant driftwood and large plants that the axies can hide under easily. As long as your Axies have hides, you are all set to turn the lights on.

 

[kimko86]

I turn my light on during the day because I keep the tank in the living room and everyone enjoys watching them when they are in the room.
I find it helps to turn the lights on in the room first, and then wait a little while, then turn the tank light on. And I agree with Eric, as long as they have some hiding spaces or some plants to help defuse the direct light, they will be fine.

Kim

 

[Mac Myers]

Ok, I got that stupid shipping gel in the tank, so I need to start over. How long can Axolotls live in the shipping plastic bags?

Get them out of the shipping bags ASAP. The bags are typically small and will be fouled from the Axie waste (think small dog with digestive problems in a plastic grocery bag) generated during shipping..

You can put them in smaller containers as long as long you change the water daily (or more often depending on the little poop factory).