Trying again... Help with 'cycling' the tank this time

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Felfreckles

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Hi, we've decided to try again for keeping an axolotl, we lost T-Rex a few months ago after health problems persisted for 8 months, the tank still sits there, water still in it, with everything turned off. T-Rex died of a lung infection, so this time we are really focused on doing everything possible to have perfect water conditions, starting with cycling the tank. We've also decided to go bare bottom as T-Rex suffered many sand compaction problems. What is the best way to cycle a tank? should we buy new media for the tank first (it's an inline bio filter. Should we start with small fish? Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
 
Hey, Sorry to hear about your loss :( T-Rex sounds like he was extremely well loved.

As for your tank, What size tank do you have? How long have you had everything sitting there? I would personally give everything a good rinse and go out and get new media for your filter.

You'll also want to grab some Water Conditioner to help remove any chlorine and chloramine in the tap water for when you do fill it up. You can also purchase a product that contains beneficial bacteria to help "kick-start" your tank cycling, but try and get something without aloe vera in it as this can add to your tanks bio-load quite significantly.

Another good idea kick-start the nitrogen cycle would be to add some live plants or some small fish just while you are getting everything set up. I'd recommend removing the smaller fish before you put your Axolotl in though.

Once your tank has been cycling for 7-10 days (Approximatley, depending on the size of your tank) It would be a good idea to purchase a test kit (Or even better, ask if your local pet store tests water as they often do this free of charge) as this will help determine the pH, Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite levels are perfect before you add your new Axie :)

Also, you didn't mention what type of filter you have, but seeing as you want a bare-bottom tank it might be a good idea to invest in some bio-noodles to use as a form of filter media. Good bacteria live in the substrate of tanks so by removing that you could have issues with establishing a good colony to help properly complete the nitrogen cycle. Bio-noodles sit in your filter and act as a "home" for the bacteria to live in and populate.

I think I've covered everything the best I can :confused: Haha. Best of luck with setting up!
 
Thanks! yes our filter takes carbon in the sponge thingy and noodles. I'll replace both and rinse out the tank. It's a two foot tank (60L) but I don't fill it all the way, maybe 35L We also have a chiller attatched to it, I thought cycling would take much longer, so that's nice to know, I've got all the testing stuff and prime water conditioner still (assuming they keep?) so I guess it's just the kick start stuf I need. I'm going to try and buy an older axie this time as our young T Rex got suck often, an someone on this site suggested to me that an older axie may prove to be stronger, can anyone recommend a type? T-Rex was Wilde-type.
 
You can cycle your tank with household ammonia if you can get hold of it,that way tour not putting any small fish under any stress or high levels of toxins.
It will take up to 6 weeks to cycle your tank fishless,which is a lot quicker than doing it the other way.
Just keep the ammonia topped up to 4ppm,wait for nitrites to show and keep topping up with ammonia,then when you see nitrates,dose with about 2ppm of ammonia,you might have to do a few small water changes.
When the nitrite and ammonia stay at 0 for a few days do a 50% water change,check your levels again and your tank should be fully cycled and you can add your axolotl.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
 
Is there anything that may already be lying around a house that you could use to raise the nitrates?
 
layna said:
Is there anything that may already be lying around a house that you could use to raise the nitrates?
Click to expand...

No,if you stick with just adding ammonia you'll run into less trouble. The more chemicals you add the more problems you can end up having.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
 
Would it be worthwhile putting some live feeders in there to help cycle or should I just add some floating plants that can remain. Could anyone suggest fish/plants that might help?
 
The only thing you should be careful about with Prime is that it actually binds the Ammonia, meaning your tank won't cycle properly while you're adding this. I'd suggest buying a simple dechlorinator from your pet store, this will help remove the chlorine in the water but will also allow your water to begin cycling properly.

As for your Biological Bacteria supplement to help "kick start" the tank, most brands will do. But you might want to note that it can make your ornaments and plants "slimy" if you are adding too much. Be sure to follow the directions carefully to avoid this.

As for plants, Elodea (Oxygen weed) is a great, cheap floating plant you can stick in. Just be sure to remove any old stems as soon as they start to deteriorate. Java Moss is another great one as this thrives in an Axolotl tank and can be used as a sort of "grass" if you want to do a bit of Aquascaping.

Feeder fish are questionable, firstly because they can easily carry parasites and diseases that are harmful to your Axie and secondly because of the stress levels with putting them into an uncycled tank there is a good chance of them passing away and deteriorating (increasing your ammonia levels)

I think getting an older Axolotl is a great idea :) Why don't you go for a different color this time? Maybe a Melanoid, Leuicistic or Golden Albino? Do you have any ideas on colors you like?
 
Thank you, that info is very helpful, I wouldve just used prime, so glad you told me! Does the java moss need sand/substrate or can it grow on the glass? I will cycle it without fish too. As for colour, I think I'll just choose whoever looks healthiest. T-Rex was half floating when we bought him and smaller than all the others, but knowing little at the time we didn't know it could be a sign of illness. My son chose him because he had "freckles, just like you mummy" :rolleyes: Mind you we never cycled the tank last time so that's probably why he first became sick. I appreciate the help to get it right this time.
 
Thats quite alright :) As for the java moss it grows pretty much anywhere, but what I tend to do is spread it thinly over the area that you want it to grow or roll it into "moss balls" that Axies love to play with. Thats a great idea, you'll probably know you're in love when you see your next one - regardless of color. Make sure to keep us updated on how your tank comes along and post some photos of your new addition!
 
Hi everyone! So we talked with our local aquarium and they helped me achieve a quick cycle with seeded media from an established tank, and some right now bacteria. We purchased our new axolotl "little foot" (my son's a big fan of the land before time) today! Unfortunately our supplier only had one available, so we didnt get much choice, but he's cute enough ;)
We are still aiming to get some java moss, (spent a fortune on the aforementioned stuff and we were a bit skint) I'll post a pic as soon as I remember how, thanks for all your help!
 
"Little Foot!" - That is the cutest name! :p Looking forward to seeing some pictures of your gorgeous new addition and your tank!
 
Hooray for lucky 'Little Foot' :)

I'll look forward to lots of updates,
all including pics of course :D



<3 >o_o< <3
 
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