When to clean!

[Bellabelloo]

I have just been in a cleaning/throwing out frenzy and all are scared!.... Now my attention has been drawn to my lovely axolotl. The water is now tested weekly and is fine, the water generally looks fine ( maybe a few bits of goodness knows what float around befor the filter catches them). I was wondering how often the decor needs cleaning.. i.e the tubes/ cave etc. I understand bicarb of soda is used and well rinsed, but how often if any would these bits need doing, they actually look clean as they are also well used. I am away soon for a week and when I return i am aiming to set up a larger tank for them, would it perhaps be best to, leave those bits alone and put them in the new tank to help start the cycling?. Anyway, theres no rush, just been into the boys room and it smells foul..so now to see whats died!

 

[Jennewt]

For cleaning things like ornaments and uptake tubes, I think it's a matter of aesthetics. You could choose to NEVER clean them if you wanted to. In the case of the uptake tubes, I suppose you might be forced to clean them if they got clogged. But the algae and whatnot are not harmful, so leaving it there is fine. If you want them to LOOK clean, then clean them.

If you want to use these items to speed-cycle a new tank, then you are right: leave them alone.

 

[Bellabelloo]

ok, thanks for that, I suspected I might not need to..with the clambering and hiding in and on they get cleaned by the axolotl.