The tank is now set up - pics as promised!

Hello,

I've now gone and got a few more bits and bobs and my tank is now about set up - unfortunately Ray, as it transpires, there wasn't a massive amount of choice regarding plants, so just had to settle for the few that will survive in cold water.

I got the spray bar (which you can see diaginally in the back) and got some big stones, so definately won't be swallowed (and then sand at the bottom). The tank's about 2 and 3 quarter foot long.

I know there is a gallery for tanks, but I just can't find it!!!! So will put them up here - the water looks really cloudy as I have been scuffling the sand about, but it should settle soon.

Looks fab -- well done. When do the axies move in?

Ooh very nice! I like that mangrove tree root looking thing. Very cool.

Thanks very much - it has all settled down now and the water looks crystal clear....and today I did my first water tests...now I just need help analysing the results....

PH level is around 7.5, which is good (that much I know). No amonia at all. Nitrite is between 0-0.1 ( both of these two are good then, presumably). The nitrate is about 10 (there are 5 colour panels, top one is for 110, lowest for 5, and 10 was the second to lowest) - I am unsure whether this is bad or not?

In regards to getting an axie, I think, once the water levels are correct, then I will go looking for one, which hopefully, will not be that far away in the future.

Cheers

Zoe x

Hi Zoe!

No ammonia, a little nitrite, and some nitrate means that your tank is almost cycled. That little bit of nitrite to go and then it's done!

-Eva

Hi Eva - in all honesty, I don't think there actually was any nitrite, I think it was more a case of that one being the first test that I did and me being determined that it must match one of the colours on the colour chart - my Mr said he couldn't see anything, but I pride myself on my stubborness...I will do another test in a couple of days just to be on the safe side.

So, a little bit of nitrate is ok? At what point would you consider that there is too much (what sort of level)?

I'm pleased, though surprised, that the tank seems to have cycled so quick, it's only been full of water with the filter running for about two weeks (I don't know if that's about the average?).

Ray/Rayson (sorry, not sure what you would prefer!) - the mangrove root thing I'm actually really pleased with - it was quite cheap in comparison with the half-log thing I bought, plus I think it looks nicer and there are lots of nooks and crannies in it for the axie to investigate and holes for it to swim through!

Zoe x

P.S. Sorry, one more daft questiion - I have got a few two litre bottles full of water (leaving to declorinate, so I always have a supply in) - this will probably seem like a silly question, but can I put the lids on them or do I need to leave them open - you see, I understand that leaving the water to stand for a few days will declorinate it - I just don't understand the chemistry side of of it, ie, WHY???!!!

Hi Zoe,

Hm, ok, so then maybe we wait for your test results next week then - maybe there is not enough ammonia (waste products) to get the cycle going hard. Having an axolotl in the tank would certainly change that.

Nitrate is "good" in the sense that it is the end product of the nitrification cycle so if you have nitrate in your tank water (and not in your tap water), it means that ammonia and nitrite have been converted; i.e., that there is a bacterial chain set up. Nitrate cannot be broken down by bacteria, though, and the only way to get rid of it is to do water changes. Live plants consume nitrate, too, but mainly you just need to do water changes to keep things nice. Ideally, I believe nitrate levels should be between 40-60. Meaning performing water changes so that the levels do not get higher.

Chlorine evaporates, which is why letting chlorinated water stand will dechlorinate it. I would therefore leave the bottles uncovered.

-Eva

Just taking a stab at it:

Chlorine is essentially the dissolved gas ie Cl2. This means that the bonding of the chlorine to the heavily polar (large +ve and large -ve sided) water molecule is essentially minimal. Therefore when heat is applied the chlorine gas molecules gain enough kinetic energy in which to break their bonds to the H2O molecules. The H2O will evaporate however not to the same degree due to the heavily polar molecule allowing stronger inter-molecular bonding ie:


-ve
O
/ \
H H will bond like so:
+ve



O
/ \
H H
O
/ \
H H

O
/ \
H H


As you can see the +ve sides bond with the -ve to form a stronger bond.
Chlorine molecules can only form dispersion forces which is temporary dipoles (polarity) due to the movement of the electrons of the molecule being randomly placed at a set period in time. This means the bonds chlorine form are nowhere near as strong as the water molecules hence it evaporates easier.


Hope you understood most of that and that is just an educated guess on what occurs on a molecular level.

Therefor yes you would have to leave the cap off to allow the evaporated gas to escape otherwise it will redissolve into the water

Oooh, thank you very much - I'm not going to pretend that the equation made much sense, but I will take your word on it and leave the lids off :happy:.

So, I'll wait a week and then test again - if the nitrite and amonia are at 0 and the PH is still good, do you think it is then ready for an axie? Or do I need to leave it longer? The tank has been full of water and filtering for around 2 weeks.

Even once I am ready for an axie, it will still take at least a couple of weeks for me to be able to go and get one as I don't want to order one in, I want to actually go and get one from a dealer or at worse, a pet shop, as I would like to see their habitat and actually pick one out myself (I figure, if I order one, I don't know what I'm going to get and what kind of health it will be in) and unfortuantely, there just doesn't really seem to be anywhere near me that sells them. I'm willing to travel as far as I need to get one, but so far, the nearest I've found is around 3 hours drive away - would like to find somewhere a bit nearer if I can!

Thanks

Zoe

Hi Zoe,

I can see a good axie owner when i see one. You are one.

Its fantastic you are willing to be patient rather than buy on impulse. Checking out the health and welfare conditions of your potential pet is very important and im glad you decide to do so before committing to one.

You can try checking the for sale section in this forum for some of our members who may have axolotls for sale.

With regards to water chemistry, yes if ammonia and nitrite gets to 0 and there are traces of nitrates (<60), your tank has cycled and is ready for new inhabitants. Continue to keep your tank aerated to keep your beneficial bacteria thriving and happy.

Cheers.

Thanks for your support Ray.

I'm going to do another water test this weekend and if all is well, will start a thread begging people to tell me of any dealers/shops that they know that stock axies...or alternately, maybe you could post Zeus to me, he looks quite hardy (maybe he'd be able to handle 1-2 weeks in an envelope?!?!?!?), haha :grin:.

Zoe x

Well Zoe, if you're claiming Zeus, I have dibs on Hera! *Only kidding Ray!*

I too love that mangrove root and the rest of the setup looks an axie haven. I wonder how long it will take for the axie to find the mangrove perch on top?

Looks amazing! I love the rooty-tree-trunk hiding shelter. Looks much nicer and more natural than my current pot-plant caves :uhoh:

Congratulations! I'm sure your axies will love it.

Thanks Julesy (sorry, I am always slow to reply!).

Anyway, if anyone was wondering, the tank is now cycled :happy:. I decided to wait longer as I read on the page about cycling that it usually takes at least a month, so I decided, better to wait than to be sorry.

I've ordered some aquarium moss balls as well, apparently they're fun to play with (for the axie, not me, lol) and grow pretty big.

So, next series of questions - I understand that the carbon filter and the filter wool need replacing quite frequently - how often would you normally do it (it's an internal filter which can be seen on the right of the tank :happy? Also, do the other two sponges need replacing or just rinsing (in aquarium water)? And if so, how often?

But yes, think it's about ready, so will soon be begging people to tell me of axie dealers/shops in the midlands.

Thanks

Zoe x

Hi Zoe,

Its ok to just give the filter wool and sponges a quick 'unclog' of any physical debris and a rinse with clean dechlorinated water. You can actually use some of the existing tank water to do so. The wool and sponges actually do serve as a medium for beneficial bacteria to grow in so avoid 'sterilising' them with hot water, chlorinated water, detergents etc.

The activated carbon and zeolite cartridge do need replacements but its dependant on the size of tank, stocking density of axies in the tank etc. Basically the harder the filter has to work, the earlier the cartridge needs replacement. You can prolong the lifespan of the catridge by regular siphoning up of detritus and uneaten food as well as regular 20% water changes.

There really isn't a clear cut 'indicator' as to when the activated carbon/zeolite cartridge has to be replaced, because they don't have obvious visible differences (no colour change etc). I replace mine every 4 months (3 times a year) routinely as i use an external canister with granulated form of the chemical filtration.

Cheers

Hi Zoe
There does not seem to be many axolotls for sale at the moment other than in London and Kent. I've been on the look out myself, but as I live in Liverpool London and Kent are too far for me. I've seen a web site called mason exotics, set up by a couple called Sami and Mason. Sami is currently in her second year studying a BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management, and specialising in Royal Pythons and Axolotls. They are based in Nottinghamshire so may be able to point you in the right direction, her email is: sami@masonexotics.co.uk
Good luck with your axie hunt!
Regards, Sadie. :happy:

Hi Zoe!!

First of all, your tank is so cool!!! congratulations!!!

About carbon/zeolite replacement, I have been told to use some product containing methylene blue in the carbon cartridge (out of the tank), just put 2 or 3 drops in it. If the color has the same intensity when it comes out of the cartridge, it means it is time for the replacement. anyway, I have never done it, just remembered it and thought it could be usefull

I dont know if this is OK and I am not aware if there is any potential problem by doing this, or if this could kill good bacteria? Maybe someone in the forum can reply about this method.

Hi Celeste,

I would advise against testing with methylene blue. I suppose the idea was to use the methylene blue like a visual indicator on the efficacy of the zeolite/activated carbon cartridge. However, the method if flawed as i will explain below.

1) You should never add chemicals, epecially those of with a broad antibacterial or antifungal (ie furan 2) component into the main tank water. It
a) kills beneficial bacteria,
b) leaves a residue that can affect axies/plants long term,
c) cause resistance in microorganisms,
d) can affect water chemistry.

2) Zeolite removes nitrogenous wastes such as ammonia and some ions like calcium, however it does not remove methylene blue, antifungals or antibiotics. Thus, you can't determine if the zeolite is still working.

3) Activated carbon gets rid of general pollutants, including methylene blue. However, it also binds to many other substances including chlorine, iodine etc. There is a finite capacity. Even if 1 'drop' of methylene appears filtered. The carbon could be near the exhaustion point and still need replacement. The indicator test could thus be misleading.

Cheers.

Hi Ray!!

Thanks for the reply, I realize that my source of information (pet shop guy) isnt reliable at all!
anyway, thanks for the advice, and my sincere apologies about the earlier post.

Thanks again!

Hi Celeste,

Its no problem at all. You were relaying information with good intentions to help. It sparks discussion and everyone can learn in the process. Its not necessarily a bad thing.

Cheers.