Removing gravel, adding sand

[Kaysie]

It depends on your individual axolotl. If it's calm enough, you can pick it up by hand. Most people use a net, some use a jug or a bowl.

 

[llamalord2212]

Is it wrong to change the substrate to sand when im still in the process of cycling my tank? right now im using pebbles which are large enough that my axxie cant swallow them but it has been proving to be a bit of a pain to clean :/

 

[Kaysie]

It's better to change them now than after you're done cycling.

A lot of beneficial bacteria will live in your substrate. If you waited until your tank was done cycling, and removed all your substrate, you would have a mini-cycle while those beneficial bacteria re-seeded your new substrate. If you put it in now, it would only delay your cycle a bit.

 

[llamalord2212]

kk, thanks once again Kaysie

What if i change my tank at the same time to a larger one...? (i'll transplant all my stuff from this tank to the new one ie. plants, ornaments and filter). How much would that delay the cycle?

 

[Kaysie]

If you move all the stuff over, it shouldn't delay it too much. The only bacteria you wouldn't be moving are the ones living on the glass.

Forgive me for not remembering, but do you already have your axolotls or are you setting up ahead of time?

 

[Harpii]

We have changed everything over, the water is still a bit cloudy but getting there slowly. Lottie is enjoying the sand and is swimming around a lot more, Axl and Norbert are in hiding. Hopefully they like the changes to their home