Using water from another tank

[jessica]

I may be getting an axi on Friday but I am unsure. It depends if the person can get it for me or not, as they are illegal here in Tasmania and have been for a few years unless u already had them before they were made illegal. Anyway, I just want to know if I can use water from one of my other 4 foot tanks to setup my new tank for my axi if I end up getting him coz at the moment it is touch and go whether or not I will get him. If i do get him he will have the best setup ever. I already have the undergravel filter etc but just don't want to have the tank setup if I am not going to get him. So will water from my other tank be ok to use?

 

[TJ]

Hi Jessica.

If you have a well-cycled tank in which your animals have not been sick, then sure, I'd say it's a good idea to use water from that tank to help cycle your new tank

On the other hand, be aware that there's an element of risk in doing so. What are you keeping in the other tank? Who knows, it could carry bacteria or parasites that don't visibly affect its current occupants but might harm an axoltl. And of course it wouldn't hurt to run some tests to check the water quality.

For my animals, I occasionally use water from one of my large tanks in which my newts have never experienced any health problems. I consider it an acceptable risk. But follow suit at your own risk

 

[jordan]

i wouldn't get an axy if its illegal. But if you do, undergravel filters are definitely not a good idea as they require gravel and axies eat gravel. Good Luck if you get one.