[Kirst]

Hello Nicolle

Yes it is important to have more test kits which include a Nitrite, Nitrate, ammonia test because ammonia and Nitrite are toxic and the Nitrate indicates if the tank is cycled or not.

The parameters should be:

Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 30-40

Your tank may be getting cloudy because it hasn't fully cycled yet so the test kits mentioned above will show if it is or not. If not a daily 10-15 % water change is required but if the ammonia and nitrite are at high levels (above 0) you have to do a 20% water change daily.
Here is a link about cycling tanks:

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml

Also if the Nitrite, Ammonia and Nitrate are at toxic levels it can cause an axolotl to be ill such as refusal of food.

It is 'completely normal' for an axolotl to refuse to eat for the a few days after stress from transportation to a new environment but if it continues on you can observe a few factors in the aquarium such as:

Temperature: The temperature must not exceed above 21ºc so a thermometer is required. If your weather conditions are continuously at high temperatures a water cooler is indeed a great idea.

Water levels: The parameters of ammonia and Nitrite must not be above 0.

Filters: Strong water flow can damage the axolotl’s gills and cause stress.

You can tell if your axolotl is stressed by the forward-turned gills (stressed by flowing water) and curled tail end.

Enjoy your axolotls

Bye