tank upgrading

[SamAxolotl]

I currently have my 9ish month old axolotl in a 10 gallon tank and he is about 5-6 inches long. When should I move him up to a 20 gallon tank? I want to be sure I'm not stunting growth in any way.
I also have a sponge filter meant for a 10 gallon tank that I'm using right now. Will that be okay to use in the 20 gallon as well? I figure it might need a bit more cleaning (which is totally fine) but I just wanted to make sure.
Thanks!

 

[WaterLily05]

I currently have my 9ish month old axolotl in a 10 gallon tank and he is about 5-6 inches long. When should I move him up to a 20 gallon tank? I want to be sure I'm not stunting growth in any way.
I also have a sponge filter meant for a 10 gallon tank that I'm using right now. Will that be okay to use in the 20 gallon as well? I figure it might need a bit more cleaning (which is totally fine) but I just wanted to make sure.
Thanks!

I would upgrade as soon as you are able! Make sure you use the same sponge filter, as it is full of beneficial bacteria. Do not rinse it in tap water though, that will kill the bacteria.

 

[SamAxolotl]

I would upgrade as soon as you are able! Make sure you use the same sponge filter, as it is full of beneficial bacteria. Do not rinse it in tap water though, that will kill the bacteria.

Okay, thank you! How do I clean the filter then? I've been rinsing it with tap water (oops!) to clean out debris.

 

[CWhit]

Take some water out of the tank & give the sponge a good squeeze in it. It gets rid of the debris but keeps the good bacteria, making it run more efficiently.

 

[WaterLily05]

Okay, thank you! How do I clean the filter then? I've been rinsing it with tap water (oops!) to clean out debris.

You can rinse it in a bowl of tank water or dechlorinated water. When your axolotl poops, it is putting ammonia into the tank. The ammonia is converted into a less harmful substance by the good, beneficial bacteria. Without the beneficial bacteria, which grows in your filter media or sponge, the ammonia levels will get too high and have the potential to kill your axie. When you rinse your filter in your tap water, which is full of chlorine, the chlorine kills all your beneficial bacteria.

The less harmful substance that ammonia is converted to is called nitrates. These nitrates can only be removed through water changes and plants. Many people recommend 25% water changes every 1 to 2 weeks.

When your filter has grown the bacteria needed to handle your axolotls ammonia, your tank is considered “cycled”. This is very important, especially for axolotls because of how sensitive they can be!

 

[SamAxolotl]

Okay! I will be sure to do that next time! Thank you so much for all the help!!

 

[WaterLily05]

Okay! I will be sure to do that next time! Thank you so much for all the help!!

Glad I could help!