My first axolotls

I have recently bought two adult axolotls and have run 2 separate API Tests (strips).

Hope someone could give me some guidance if action is needed?


2017-10-27

GH=0
KH=0
PH=6,0
NO2=0
NO3=40

2017-10-31


GH=30
KH=40
PH=6,5
NO2=0
NO3=40

I added "bicarbonate" after the first test 10-27 in hope to risen the ph.

Hi, I hope your cycling is going well. Are you doing a fish-in (amphibian-in?) cycle with your axxies because that can be very detrimental to their health and the cycling process can take quite a while. I would also recommend that you switch to the liquid tests as they often have more accurate results.

Here are the parameters you should be aiming for:
Ammonia- 0 (very important, this can kill or seriously injure your axolotl)
Nitrite (NO2)- 0
Nitrate (NO3)- <60 between 20-40 is best

I recommend daily water changes of at least 50% if you are doing a fish-in cycle. If you are doing a fish less cycle (which I recommend) you need to be supplementing the tank with ammonia for the bacteria (nitrogen cycle). This process should take at least a month, most likely around 2. You can expect ammonia spikes through out the process if you are cycling correctly and it should all even out eventually. I hope this helps any.