Cloudy Water (& Other Tank Set Up Issues)

Hello everyone. I'm a newbie here, and to the business of keeping an axolotl as a pet. I haven't yet gotten my axie, I have roughly a month to set up his tank before he comes home. While doing so, I've come across a couple questions I need to ask more experienced Axolotl parents.

I set up my tank, and I'm preparing it to cycle. I am using fine black sand as a substrate, I can't remember the brand of the sand (I threw out the package, stupid me) but I got it from a Local Fish store, and he said it'd be perfect if I ever wanted have live plants in there. I rinsed it for about 10 minutes before putting it in the tank, but when I added the water, it clouded really badly. Im wondering if this is normal, or if I have to rinse the sand some more? I have the filter running right now (I haven't added a spray bar or anything right now to calm the flow, I'm trying to find a way to do that). Should I turn the filter off in order to let the sand settle? Or, would this cause a problem in the cycling of the tank?

Also, in regards to cycling. I dont have an ammonia/nitrate/nitrite test kit yet. I'm looking for the API Master kit, but I can't find anything locally right now. However, I did add water conditioner (Top Fin from Petsmart) and Nutrafin Cycle biological aquarium supplement. And, I plan on having Pet Smart test the water soon in the meantime. Is there anything I should be doing in the meantime in regards to cycling since I have used the Nutrafin Cycle stuff? Or are the cycling instructions basically the same?


Thank you everyone!

Hi there and welcome to the forum. :happy:

It is quite important to stir your sand while rinsing it, so that you are not just rinsing the top layer. If the cloudiness is due to dust from the sand it will settle as the filter removes the dust.
I tend to get my API master test kit on line as it is a bit cheaper than buying it at a local store. It is vital to have a test kit when cycling your tank.
The cycling instructions will be the same, even with the supplement. Everything depends on your results, which is why the test kit is so important.
Best of luck with cycling your tank. If you have any further questions please post them and we will be happy to help.
Please post photos of your axolotl when you get it, we love seeing pictures. :happy: