Scratching Axolotl

[Kendra01]

So I just got my first Axolotl today. I may be over reacting, but I did TONS of research before I got him and I heard they’re very very sensitive. He’s scratching himself and swimming frantically... will he survive through the night so I’m able to go back to the pet store and get more things to help him out and balance his tank...? The pet store employee told me he gave me everything I needed but I realized I was missing testing strips. When I get these testing strips, if the ammonia nitrates and nitrites are off— how would I balance them?

 

[efs710920mex]

I can assume you didn't cycle the tank so the axolotl is suffering for ammonia concentration in the water. I think you have to remove the animal from the tank to a small container (tupper) and wait for the cycling to complete.

 

[Kendra01]

Ok... so I stayed up all night with him and he stopped scratching at about 12:51 am. It’s 8:50 right now. Is he good or should I still do what you said...?

 

[efs710920mex]

You should cycle the tank anyway. It can be fatal to the axolotl with constant ammonia spikes.

 

[Kendra01]

Thank you so much! The employee at the pet store wasn’t very helpful. Any tips you have to cycling other then what I find online?

 

[efs710920mex]

Since you already have the animals I think your best option is to do a cycling with ammonia.
You will need:

• Pure liquid ammonia. It can be for cleaning purposes but without any aroma or additives. You can also use ammonium chloride in powder.
• Nitrifying bacteria such as Seachem Stability, Seachem Pristine, Tetra Safe Start plus, API stress zyme, Nutrafin Cycle.
• Aquarium test kit. I use API Master Test Kit. It can seem expensive but it lasts for a log time. You can buy any other DROP test. Striptests are very unaccurate.

You have to daily add enough ammonia to get 4ppm (4mg/l) according to your tank.
Add daily bacteria according to the product directions for 7 days.
Keep track of ammonia levels to see a fast ammonia level dropping and the presence of nitrite and nitrate.
When ammonia is totally consumed in 24 hours and nitrite is 0, cycling is complete. Do a 30% water change and move the axolotls in.

The hole process should be about two weeks.

 

[Kendra01]

So where do I keep them until cycling is complete...?

 

[efs710920mex]

In a small container (tubed). Something with some 5 liters will do. You have to change water twice a day and remove any poop or food remainings. Here is an article that may help you also: Caudata Culture Articles - Cycling

 

[Kendra01]

Thank you! By tubed do you mean filtered...?

 

[Calgarycoppers]

HI Kendra

Let s got through everything

what conditioner are you using?

Do NOT buy test strips - buy the API Freshwater Master Test Kit. Strips are horribly inaccurate.

Cycling is a process - HERE is my handout

Feel free to message me - facebook is better - I'm on Caudata only once a week. www.facebook.com/hollieshobbiescalgary

Thank you! By tubed do you mean filtered...?