Urgen Water question

[GazerOfStars]

Urgent*

I'm just about to head out to buy my first Axolotl tank/set-up. I plan to get my Axolotls in a week.

I was thinking about maybe buying some water at the pet store to start out with(Distilled?) and after that when I cycle I'll probably just go back to tap water. I just want to make sure my baby axolotls survive.

Any thoughts about this?

Is it recommended to just stick with tap water, is Distilled/pet store water worse or better for them?

Thanks!

 

[michael]

If the tap water in your area is o.k. for tropical fish once dechlorinated it will be fine for axolotls. If you use distilled or r.o. water for axolotls you need to re-mineralize it. Both r.o. and distilled water have no minerals in them. That is bad for fish and salamanders.

 

[GazerOfStars]

So to be safe, think I should just stick with tap water? It's going to be sitting in an empty tank/ with filter for a week before I introduce new axolotls to it. Should I even bother buying Dechlornizing chemicals If I wait that long?

 

[michael]

I would use dechlorinator. Most of the dechlorinators break down chlorine and chloramine. Chlorine dissipates naturally but chloramine does not. To jump start your tank it is best to use the dechlorinator.

 

[EEVEE84]

I agree with Michael, dechlorinator is a must! What about your water changes? Your tank won't cycle on its own without ammonia source and most definitely not within a week. I think it's best for you to do some more reaserch before getting the lotls (at least the time u spending on waiting for them will go faster ).

 

[GazerOfStars]

Well, I did get about 10 Rosy minnows for my 20 gallon tank today. Hopefully that'll help with the cycling.