Question: Water Questions

[lindseyb88]

Hey! Just a couple questions for you about water. I am getting a young axolotl and want to make sure I am doing everything right for the little guy.

I got a 20 gallon long aquarium for him with a whisper filter (cannot remember exactly which one but can figure it out later). I have been told to keep him in a smaller tank till he gets larger because it can be hard for him to find food, etc (completely understandable!). I was also told to do 100% water changes in the little tank.

- how often should I do water changes when he is kept in the smaller tank? Also how small of a tank should I keep him in? I have no idea how big he is but I will include a pic and try to get in touch with the person today.

- how do I cycle an aquarium? (For the small tank and large tank)?

- how do I keep the water levels safe if I am doing 100% changes? Should I cycle the big tank and just use it to hold water to do the water changes on the small tank?

I hope this all makes sense! I have no idea what I am doing and want to make sure the little guy has the best life he can have!

 

[auntiejude]

If your axie has all 4 legs he'll be fine in a 20gal - he would find food in a 60gal if he was hungry! A smaller tank is just another expense, and really not necessary.

If your new friend was smaller - maybe 1.5" and didn't have his back legs I would agree that a tub would be preferable, but I have a dozen babies at 3" in a 15gal and they are fine. When they are very small many people keep them in unfiltered plastic boxes and change 100% water daily.

If your tank is cycled you only need to do small water changes - maybe 20-30% per week.

Tank cycling involves getting some bacteria established to convert ammonia (waste) to nitrites then nitrates. This can be done artificially (fishless) or with an animal in the tank. Fishless is faster and very efficient, but if your friend arrives very soon you will not have time. If you've got 2 or 3 weeks you may be able to do fishless.
You'll need a liquid water testing kit to assess the N compounds in your tank, and you can look up cycling very easily on the internet.

I think that covers it!

 

[lindseyb88]

Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[lindseyb88]

If your axie has all 4 legs he'll be fine in a 20gal - he would find food in a 60gal if he was hungry! A smaller tank is just another expense, and really not necessary.

If your new friend was smaller - maybe 1.5" and didn't have his back legs I would agree that a tub would be preferable, but I have a dozen babies at 3" in a 15gal and they are fine. When they are very small many people keep them in unfiltered plastic boxes and change 100% water daily.

If your tank is cycled you only need to do small water changes - maybe 20-30% per week.

Tank cycling involves getting some bacteria established to convert ammonia (waste) to nitrites then nitrates. This can be done artificially (fishless) or with an animal in the tank. Fishless is faster and very efficient, but if your friend arrives very soon you will not have time. If you've got 2 or 3 weeks you may be able to do fishless.
You'll need a liquid water testing kit to assess the N compounds in your tank, and you can look up cycling very easily on the internet.

I think that covers it!

With the 100% water change, what do I put in the water to make it safe? And what size tub could I keep him in? I will try to see if I can find out his exact size today! I also need to come up with a name for him!

 

[auntiejude]

All water need to be dechlorinated.
All you need is a large plastic tub - maybe 5-10L.

Do you have your tank cycled?

 

[lindseyb88]

I do not have the tank cycled yet. I am in the process of moving and don't have it set up yet. I am going to be setting it up by Friday at the latest hopefully!!