Ok I'm going to write an answer to this but it will take me awhile so I'll post this message quickly and then edit it with the answer.
OK here goes:
Ok the cycling tank - I'm not very smart with fishies etc so don't understand fully....Also stupid question but with 20% water change do you mean take out 20% of tank water and add 20% tap water to compensate?
No worries. Some day I'll tell you how I got started. Kind of a best example of what all not to do.
Yes, a water change means removing a portion of the tank water and adding fresh. I will explain why below.* I don't see where you are from [you need to change that - specify your nationality - because otherwise you're breaking the forum rules and someone somewhere is going to fuss] but depending on what your water company adds to your water, you may need to let it sit or treat it first before adding it to the tank. If your tap water has chlorine, it is enough to let the water stand for a couple of hours or so, because chlorine will evaporate. If the tap water has choramines, you will need to add a dechlorinator (ask at the aquarium for one) as chloramine does not evaporate. You can find out about what is added to your tap water by contacting your local water company or checking their website.
I know you guy hate aquariums etc, but they didn't say I had to use that gave me some chemical thing called safeguard 5 that added the correct levels or something for axolotl, the lady I spoke to had 3 axo's and had them for few years.
Now now, just because there are places that will sell you your own grandma doesn't mean they are all bad. I have two that I frequent and they are wonderful, they even advise me not to buy things that are not appropriate to my setup.
I don't know what Safeguard is, maybe someone else will pipe up with a comment on that. In general, it is best not to add anything to the tank water. Axolotls are amphibians and as such, breathe through their skin as well as through their gills. They are
not to be compared with fish. This makes axolotls particularly sensitive to chemicals in the water. Ok I just googled Safeguard 5 (description
here). I never have quite memorized the opinions on this forum about aloe in the water, whether it helps or not, so can't say anything about that. Chlorine does not need to be treated, as explained above. Chloramines do - but obviously, only if your water company treats your water supply with chloramines.
As to treating ammonia, this is part of the cycle (below*).
I am hoping that someone who knows Safeguard 5 can add more info.
The lady at aqarium said I should wait a week to get the axolotl and let tank fester etc, But it has only been 5 days and I am really excited and wanting to get one tomorrow! LOL, is this safe?
Letting the tank "fester" means letting it cycle first.
*Cycling a tank means to establish a state of balance. There is an article on it
here, but the short version is as follows: An animal in a tank of water produces waste. Waste (poopie, dead and rotting food) equals ammonia. Ammonia = deadly toxin. Not to worry, Nature has thought about that. There is a type of bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrite (with an I). Nitrite = another deadly toxin. Not to worry, though - another type of bacteria converts nitrite to nitrate (with an A). Nitrate can be poisonous, but must achieve much higher levels to become toxic.
All of this takes time. First you need a supply of ammonia (waste) to feed the first sort of bacteria, then they need time to convert the ammonia to nitrite, which must be available in sufficient amounts to feed the next bacteria, which must colonize in numbers large enough to handle the nitrite levels. This is the "nitrification chain" or "cycle". Once ammonia and nitrite levels have reached zero and there is an amount of nitrate in the water, the tank is cycled.
Fish (and amphibians) living in a tank that is still cycling can be "burned" by the ammonia. This is commonly called "new tank syndrome" and is what Safeguard is trying to address.
So, couple of things to know about cycling an axolotl tank.
1.) Nitrate is the end product of the cycle. There is no bacteria that eats it. The only way to keep its concentration at a safe level is to do water changes. Depending on the size of your tank, the number of animals in the water, etc., a fully cycled tank only needs a water change every two weeks, once a month - you'll have to monitor the water with the dropper test until you get a feel for how your specific tank works.
2.) Your tank will not begin to cycle if there is no ammonia to kick off the process. You can add stuff (e.g., a nice dead shrimp) to the water to cycle it without subjecting living creatures to the toxins - read about the "fishless cycle" in the link above. The process will take much, much lnger than one week though - it can take up to three months!
3.) You will often read that "axolotls produce a lot of waste". This is often underestimated. Axolotls produce a LOT of waste. Since you are certainly going to be cycling your tank with the axolotl in it, you will need to be doing
daily water changes once the ammonia level rises. Otherwise, the axolotl can die - very quickly and very painfully. You need to change (remove and add fresh) 20% of the water each day until you get a reading for nitrate, and ammonia and nitrite are at 0. After that, you can kick back and open a bottle of champagne and cut back to the regular water changes you'll be doing for the rest of your axolotl's life.
So, having said that, I would sneak in an evil little comment that 3 years ain't nuthin when you consider that a healthy axolotl has a life expectancy comparable to that of a dog - more than 10 years, maybe even more than 20. (I haven't got that far yet.)
I don't think I should get it as I will probably try pick it up and cuddle it, theyre so cute
I soooo know what you mean. I actually constantly have to fuss my kids and ("adult"!) friends not to touch the axolotls. Their slime coat is most sensitive and you wouldn't be doing them a favor - but you surely know that.
Ok, I hope all that made sense (and that I didn't make too many typos). You are going to love your new pet, they are weirdly but undeniably addictive.
My cameras broken but I will upload photos from my gf's camera when possible!
Well get to it, then! haha
-Eva