well water

[Hizzy]

hello I'm planning on getting an Axolotl soon and I was wondering if it would be best to use treated water or use well water? (basically fresh water).
I was planning on using the water from the well (I've been using it for my fish and my newt and they're fine), but I just wanted to make sure if it was wise or not to use this type of water for an Axolotl.

This probably seems like a stupid question, but I'd rather be sure than sorry.

thank you in advance :happy:

 

[Bellabelloo]

I use water butt water, but do test it first as I discovered that the ph was extremely low, but the tap water was the complete opposite. Test its ph and then for good measures I'd do the nitrite/nitrate and ammonia too if alls well I'd use it.

 

[niajetze]

live just over the strait from you .... water around here is a bit too soft but other than that is fine. I added coral sand and this sorted the water out basicly straight away.

 

[Hizzy]

what would be a good PH?

 

[Hizzy]

live just over the strait from you .... water around here is a bit too soft but other than that is fine. I added coral sand and this sorted the water out basicly straight away.

ohh cool ^__^ where did you get your axolotl from? my friend said she would try and get me one from her collage, but she said not to get my hopes up, so I'm looking for other places to get one around here

 

[niajetze]

there is a shop is rhyl that sells them if you are desparate (were I got mine from before I realised how much they 'care' for there animals) but this is by no means a recommendation the animals will be very sickley when you get them (half starved missing limbs from fellow axies very small gills) though all mine have survived with tlc good thing is that they are not kept in warm water or on gravel so you wouldnt have to worry about that. They only get leuistic in now as the old breeder who used to sell them wont sell to them anymore (he had wildtypes) also these are VERY young axies )size of your thumb nail) and will set you back £16. My suggestion would be to keep an eye out on ebay they are often for sale here by breeders (who should care more about their animals) but you might have to travel to chester (though I have seen the rhyl breeder put them on)- - there are many exotic pet shops in birmingham that get them in you could phone round and ask to save a trip. Alternatively keep an eye out here for them (in wanted/ for sale bit). If you deside to visit rhyl let me know and I will give you advise on picking the right one and after care.

 

[Hizzy]

thanks for the warning, much appriciated. Well I have to wait till September anyway before I know or not if my friend can get one for me. She goes to Glynllifon and said there's a possibility that she could get one for me at a discount (they'd be £5 there). A lady in Petsathome mentioned somewhere in Conwy that sold them, but she couldn't remember where in Conwy though >_<
But this gives me time to set up my tank though
Probably a stupid question but where did you get the coral sand from? I was planning on using sand after reading about the dangers of gravel.
Really looking forwards to getting an Axolotl ^_^ I haven't been allowed to own a proper pet in years (well except for Percy my fish, but he was never intended he just appeared, I thought he was some kind of fly larvae at first till he grew fins).
Sorry if I'm moidering ^^;

 

[niajetze]

moider if you want tis ok. got the coral sand from pets at home bangor ..just ask if you carnt find it you can also buy spray bars & frozen food there and pretty much every thing else you need . . .if you are anything like me dont be tempted by their chinese firebellied newts though my mate bought some and everyone of them died from skin rot (she did take them to vets but they were too far gone). There used to be an exotics shop in conwy however it has closed down (or so I was told) I assume this is the shop in conwy that sold them as the place isnt that big. ifyou find the place and its open let me know!!! if you decide to go for live plants there is a aquarium shop in colwyn bay that has REALLY cheap plants you will get 'friends' free with them though (teeny tiny snails that never grow bigger than the nib of a pencil) but at 50p - £1 a plant it is worth it.

Hwyl

 

[Hizzy]

spray bars? Is that something to do with the filter, because I read something about attaching tubing with small holes in it to the filter and placing it so that the water filtered down the side of the tank. I was thinking of trying to make something like that.
Should set up the water soon, just need to work out the filter and set the tank up properly ^^. Need to read up a bit more on the water PH so that I can get it right.
It's a shame about the shop in Conwy though I suppose I could always get my friend to check out where Glynliffon was supplied theres from if I can't get one from there.
Will try and check out that place in Colwyn Bay though ^^ I wanted to put snails in the tank since I figured they'd keep the glass pretty clean, but was worried about them being swallowed, but since you said they werent that big I shall go get some Did concider getting some plants from a friends pond which I've being doing recently, but it seems to come with eggs of all sorts (fish,snails etc) so I decided against it Besides getting leeched again isn't tempting

What do you feed your axolotls on? I was thinking of looking for some live food and possibly beef heart occasionally (not sure on the beef heart though just read a few threads in which ppl mentioned they used it) I have brine shrimp and they're fresh water ones so im assuming those will be good most the time (got a supply since my bf owns a farm and gets them in his stream all the time )

sorry if I'm bothering you with all the questions ^^;

 

[niajetze]

no bother .. spray bar is what you think it is costs about a £5 from pets at home. the stable of mine are worms slugs (plenty of them around at the moment) trout pellets and blood worms treat are beef heart prawns and anything else I can think of (you can buy trout pellets from the fishing shop opposite where the old cinema used to be in bangor just ask the man behinf the counter). the most important thing is to make sure you get the tank cycled before you get the axie just search for threads on cycling.

 

[ianclick]

In the wild axolotls live in glacier fed mountain streams so water purity is obviously and issue.

There are some forms of amoeba that are ground dwelling and can cause amoebic meningitis in humans.

I suggest that you get your well water tested before you use it. Then you will know for sure if it is ok.

You can take a sample to your local pet store or purchase a test kit and do it yourself.

Check out www.axolotl.org it has much usefull advice about this and other issues.

The concern with well water is of course purity and the presence of leachates from the surrounding environment. If it is spring water you should be ok but I would still say check first.

Best of luck

 

[Hizzy]

In the wild axolotls live in glacier fed mountain streams so water purity is obviously and issue.

There are some forms of amoeba that are ground dwelling and can cause amoebic meningitis in humans.

I suggest that you get your well water tested before you use it...

The well water is from my boyfriend's farm and it's the water they use to drink and for everything else on the farm, so it's clean.

What PH should the water be though?
I'd still test the water first.
I was unsure how safe using chemicals to treat the tap water would be for an axolotl, hence why I was concidering using the well water that isn't cholrine treated.
Thank you for your responce

 

[Hizzy]

the stable of mine are worms slugs

Is it ok to feed them worms and slugs collected from the garden? I read something about worms sometimes carrying harmful bacteria, but I'm not sure on this. It would be great though if it is ok to feed them garden slugs and worms

Thanks for your advice it's appriciated greatly

I've noticed that there's a bait shop in Menai Bridge which I though I might go check out to see if there was any live food there (like live blood worms). I'll definately go to that place in Bangor though ^^