HELP! I just gassed my axolotls!

For the first time in a while, I had a few hours before I have to go to work. I've been so busy lately that the tank was sooooo dirty. I took the time to clean out the tank. Without thinking, I went to stir the sand bed, though it's been so long since I've done that that there was much more anaerobic gas that I expected. I usually do it often enough that it isn't an issue for my lotls. I don't think it was the sand that was upsetting them, as I'm very gentle and slow when I stir it. Though they IMMEDIATELY started spazzing out, going to the surface for air, and throwing themselves into the bubbles from the air stone. Luckily I had a few buckets of dechlorinated water and I quickly filled some small tupperware containers with clean water and hap-hazardly tossed my axolotls in them. They were very stunned and not moving for a few minutes, I honestly thought I killed them. They're slow, but I'm getting gill movement. They are too cramped in the current containers so I filled a larger sterilite container with about 4 gallons of fresh cold water and added dechlorinator. I usually let the water sit overnight but I'm thinking just a few hours that hopefully the chlorine will be gone...

Here are my questions:
1. How long do you think until the toxic gas evaporates from their main tank? When can I put them back home?
2. Is a few hours okay for chlorine to dissapate? The conditioner I use says it instantly neutralizes it...
3. I think I may have harmed their slime coat because in my haste to get them out I had to touch them a bit... Should I do anything about that?
4. I may just remove the sand completely over a few days time so to not crash my cycle, meaning that they will be in the temporary container for a few days--how often and what % water changes should I do while they are in there?

Thanks guys. My mistake was a foolish one and I'm seriously beating myself up for it. I have to run to work, but thankfully my parents are around to help with any transfers while I'm at work.

Hey Syler,

1) I've never really thought about toxic gases being in their sand but one way to speed the process up is to do a water change to remove the anaerobic gases in the water. I'd probably do 90% and then put the axolotls back in. I can't say how long until it'll be safe, but you've removed 90% of the gas this way. Also, keep the air pump running.

2) I have done 'immediate' water changes before and I do know of users who do a lot of their water changes that way. I haven't ever seen any negative effects from the instant addition of axolotls to dechlorinated water as long as it's dosed safely. Besides, if you do the water change on the main tank they won't have to be in that water that long.

3) You may see a little flaking (this is what Gally did when I had to grab him one time because he fell out of his tub). I recommend using Stress Coat +, or Reptisafe, or another similar dechlorinator as your dechlorinator that contains aloe vera. It heals their skins. If you are worried about infection you can place beech leaves on the water.

4) You will need to do 100% water changes ideally - your containers won't be cycled. I know it's a lot of water but if you can't or don't want to put them back in the main tank (I would personally do the water change on the main tank, dechlorinate the water for the main tank for a few hours, then add the aged water and axolotls to the main tank, but that's just me). As for the sand...I removed all my sand in one hit, leaving only a few grains that neither syphon nor baster will remove. I had no issues with my cycle at all - remember the bacteria also live on the tank glass and on your ornaments, so if you have plenty of surfaces, fret not. If you are really worried, you can try a bacteria-in-a-bottle solution such as Quick Start or Stress Zyme +. Some people doubt the effectiveness of such treatments, but I have used both without issues. They essentially just claim to increase the bacteria a bit. Worth a shot

I hope your bubbies are okay, but I think a big water change will do it. If you want to remove your sand, I would personally do it while the axolotls are in the containers, after the big water change. But these are just suggestions. It's up to you ultimately