Tank Cycling - Am I doing this right

S

suzanne

Guest
Okay,

bad move I know but my axie has been in my tank for roughly 3.5 weeks (I wasn't aware I should cycle my tank for 30days first).

My ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels are all pretty much at maximum, today I did about a 30% water change.

Am I on the right track? Am I supposed to keep doing water changes until the ammonia etc levels reach 0? Or am I supposed to leave the water alone until they disappear????

Bit confused as to the correct procedure to follow.

I'm becoming a posting addict!!!
smile9.gif
 
Suzanne - if you haven't already, take your axolotl out of the tank and put it in a tub/food safe container with a lid in the fridge, with some dechlorinated water.

You can leave the axolotl in the fridge for up to 30 days whilst your tank finishes cycling.
 
you dont need to have it in the fridge at all whle its cycling just a large container works well. the axoltol would probably be more comfortable not being in the frige the whole time your tank is cycling. unless its sick.
 
Sorry, Suzanne, Shane's right.

I was just assuming that b/c you're in Sydney your temperature would be up, but I forgot to tell you to check that your temperature is below 20 degrees.

Mine is in the fridge at the moment, because I can't get the temperature below 24c, so I have to wait until I can afford a chiller.

If your water temperature isn't getting above 20c, then no prob, you can keep your axie in a bucket!

Sorry for unclear post.
happy.gif
 
Okay,

He's in his bucket..poor thing.

I'm still confused on whether or not I should be doing water changes while the tanks cycling or do I just wait for everything to go away???
 
Now that the axolotl is not in the tank, there's no need to do water changes until your cycle is finished. When ammonia and nitrites read zero, and you have a high reading on nitrates (20-140+ ppm), then do a large water change (up to 50%), to lower nitrates below 20ppm. Then you should be all set!

Good luck!
 
Yes like Joan said, you need to have no nitrite or ammonia at all. Nitrates are different because they aren't harmful to axolotls.
 
Jordan, nitrates are still harmful in high concentrations. This is why you do a fairly large water change at the end of the cycle, to lower the nitrates.
 
Thanks Everyone!!!

My tank shouldn't be too far away from finishing it's cycle now as I've had it running for some time and from what I've notice levels normally shoot up before they come down again...Anyway however long it takes it takes.

My poor little axie will just have to hang on until then....He's looking at me as though to say "What's going on woman? What are you trying to do to me?" hehe...
lol.gif
 
Nitrates are not that toxic in and of themselves to freshwater animals but they can cause immunosuppression in freshwater vertebrates when its over 80 ppm.

Ed
 
hey just regarding chillers? are they very expensive? im just worried about what the temperature will be like over christmas. the temp is now slightly over 20 and its still spring? well whatever season we are in here lol. so when summer comes along its going to be even worse. im not going to be here for 6 weeks and im not sure my sister will be able to constantly check the temp.
:S
there was soemthing else too... ah i forgot. lol
 
yes chillers are super expensive and barely any petshops have them because they are so expensive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top