HELP!

Help! I got my first axolotl about a month ago. Ever since, he's been floating in the surface of the water, he never swims below the surface. The only possible explanation I have is that the pH of the water is low, I've tried to make it more basic, but I just can't get the pH high enough. He seemed to be doing fine, but he's almost dead now!!! I thought he was dead, but I splashed a little water on him and he moved just enough to know he's alive. Could it be the pH that is causing this? Does anyone have a quick remedy?? I have been using "Proper pH 7.0."

THANK YOU!!!
-Morgan

It could be the pH, move him into a food safe container and place him in the fridge. I wouldn't be using any chemicals right now because they might be bad. I don't know the link for the site that has approved chemicals but i would stop using it. The food safe container should be filled with water just above the axie so he/she can touch the ground. The fridge will cause him to calm down, and the ability to touch the ground will relieve stress. Other members probably have better advice but that's mine. Wait, i found the site of approved and disapproved chemicals, here it is: http://www.axolotl.org/health.htm#list
Well you have to copy and paste in on your webaddress bar thing. I don't know why it doesn't show up as a link.

(Message edited by axolotlboy21 on November 12, 2005)

Morgan - What is the ph normally? The additives to raise and lower ph are usually only temporary at best. You can usually raise some the ph by adding some crushed coral to your filter, and or adding limestone. Here is a link to start you on your way to learning about ph http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html

Did you cycle the tank before you put the axolotl in it?

Have you tested for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
Ammonia and nitrite should both read zero, nitrates should be low (under 80).

Check the temperature and the water parameters and let us know what they are. What have you been feeding it?

Sounds like a high level of nitrite to me.

High nitrite for prolonged periods of time cause the water to become acidic, or so is my understanding.

Ah yes, if the pH is high, it affects the toxicity of the ammonia in your tank, which might be the cause here.

Yes, pH affects the toxicity of ammonia. But ammonia is LESS toxic at low pH, which is what we have here.

Proper pH 7.0 is a buffer, and should do an excellent job of keeping the pH right at 7.0. It is not a bad product, but needs to be used properly. The fact that this product can't maintain the pH leads me to suspect that you have a serious problem. Have you been doing partial water changes? If so, did you add the Proper pH product to the water you added? What is the temperature of the tank?

The "quick remedy" I would suggest would be to get the axolotl out of the tank. Put him into a container of his tank water, then gradually remove 1/4 of the water, replacing it with fresh water, repeating the procedure every half hour or so until he's in almost completely new water. Also, if he's having floating problems, he might appreciate being in very shallow water. And the refrigerator is recommended, until you can sort out what is wrong.