RabidPretzel
New member
Hi, we are having issues with our water levels...
We have a 40 gal breeder tank set up for our axolotls. It cycled for about 6-7 weeks and was still struggling with high ph and ammonia. Ammonia with weekly 25% water changes was anywhere from .5-2.0ppm. nitrite 0ppm and nitrate 5.0ppm. ph 8.2
So the axolotls came in today 2 juvenile ~3in long.
This morning i added a submersible pump filter with peat moss and zeolite ammonia reducer. I also blocked the water flow pressure withe a piece of driftwood so wouldnt move the water around too much. I have 2 sponge filters/bubblers and one air stone in tank for good oxygenation. With Large river type rocks for substrate. And 2 hide homes. And some red root floaters plants
before adding the pump filter the water was ph 8.0, ammonia 2.0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5.0 (its norm for a week or so) and an hr after filter was in ph 7.6, ammonia .50, and nitrite 0, nitrate 5.0
But hr after adding the axolotls today (they came in today) the water changed... Its now ph 7.6, ammonia .50, nitrite 1.0-1.5, nitrate 5.0.
What is actual parameters that i should be worried and what is just considered normal variations?
Also how long do i let them chill with lights off in room before feeding them? One seemed stressed so i turned off all the lights in the room to help them adjust.
Also i have a small glass dish with pellets.
Will they smell and find it or do i need to give it to them another way?
They have both hidden so i cant even find them cause their so little to try to feed with tweezers.
We have a 40 gal breeder tank set up for our axolotls. It cycled for about 6-7 weeks and was still struggling with high ph and ammonia. Ammonia with weekly 25% water changes was anywhere from .5-2.0ppm. nitrite 0ppm and nitrate 5.0ppm. ph 8.2
So the axolotls came in today 2 juvenile ~3in long.
This morning i added a submersible pump filter with peat moss and zeolite ammonia reducer. I also blocked the water flow pressure withe a piece of driftwood so wouldnt move the water around too much. I have 2 sponge filters/bubblers and one air stone in tank for good oxygenation. With Large river type rocks for substrate. And 2 hide homes. And some red root floaters plants
before adding the pump filter the water was ph 8.0, ammonia 2.0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5.0 (its norm for a week or so) and an hr after filter was in ph 7.6, ammonia .50, and nitrite 0, nitrate 5.0
But hr after adding the axolotls today (they came in today) the water changed... Its now ph 7.6, ammonia .50, nitrite 1.0-1.5, nitrate 5.0.
What is actual parameters that i should be worried and what is just considered normal variations?
Also how long do i let them chill with lights off in room before feeding them? One seemed stressed so i turned off all the lights in the room to help them adjust.
Also i have a small glass dish with pellets.
They have both hidden so i cant even find them cause their so little to try to feed with tweezers.
