Axolotl- so much money

[Caesar]

Just tested (even though im 2 hours early I need to get to bed early! xD)
The ammonia is 2ppm so maybe since I got a new filter the process is slowing down.
I'll dose it back up to 4 and check tomorrow!

 

[Caesar]

It looks like about 3 to me, so there is probably 6 ppm.That is close enough to 4. So, just leave it alone.

It is good that it is dropping. The end is in sight!

Do you know of a more accurate way to dose it up to 4ppm?

Last night I put more ammonia in and this morning when I checked it reads 4ppm. So should I check it again tonight or tomorrow morning since it was 4ppm this morning? :angel:
Thanks I'm just having trouble finding out how much ammonia to put. .-.

 

[LSuzuki]

Do you know of a more accurate way to dose it up to 4ppm

Dilute it, and measure the diluted amount. Caution! make sure you don't leave chemicals around were kids can get them! Mark everything so no one takes a drink!

Instructions: Get an empty water bottle. Put one cap fill of ammonia in it. Fill the rest with water. Get a plastic or paper cup. Pour some of the diluted ammonia in and mark a line on the outside of the cup showing how much you put in. Measure the ammonia in the tank. Add the diluted ammonia and mix it up. Measure it again. Then you know how much that amount of your diluted solution raises the ammonia. (Yeah, I know it is hard with the colors and all, but it is a lot easier to measure a diluted solution ... a bit too much won't make a huge difference, unlike a bit too much of the full strength.

 

[Caesar]

Dilute it, and measure the diluted amount. Caution! make sure you don't leave chemicals around were kids can get them! Mark everything so no one takes a drink!

Instructions: Get an empty water bottle. Put one cap fill of ammonia in it. Fill the rest with water. Get a plastic or paper cup. Pour some of the diluted ammonia in and mark a line on the outside of the cup showing how much you put in. Measure the ammonia in the tank. Add the diluted ammonia and mix it up. Measure it again. Then you know how much that amount of your diluted solution raises the ammonia. (Yeah, I know it is hard with the colors and all, but it is a lot easier to measure a diluted solution ... a bit too much won't make a huge difference, unlike a bit too much of the full strength.

Ok great just put the diluted solution in the tank. How long should I wait before testing again?

 

[Caesar]

Ok great just put the diluted solution in the tank. How long should I wait before testing again?

Ah I just read that my filter cycles 100 gallons in 60 minutes. So It would cycle 10 gallons in 6 minutes correct?

 

[LSuzuki]

I usually just stir the water around with my hand when I'm doing something like that. I'm not sure how long you should wait otherwise. Your reasoning makes sense (6 min), but I don't know if that guarantees a through mixing - probably depends on the filter. :happy:

 

[Caesar]

I usually just stir the water around with my hand when I'm doing something like that. I'm not sure how long you should wait otherwise. Your reasoning makes sense (6 min), but I don't know if that guarantees a through mixing - probably depends on the filter. :happy:

Alright so my ammonia reached 0! yay. But my nitrites are still high at 2ppm.

Does not doing a 50% pwc make the nitrite harder to turn into nitrates with the high amounts?

 

[LSuzuki]

Does not doing a 50% pwc make the nitrite harder to turn into nitrates with the high amounts?

I'm not sure I understand the question, but it it wasn't able to take the 4 ppm of ammonia all the way from ammonia to nitrate (0 ppm ammonia and nitrite), then it isn't totally cycled. But it is close! Hurray!

 

[Caesar]

I'm not sure I understand the question, but it it wasn't able to take the 4 ppm of ammonia all the way from ammonia to nitrate (0 ppm ammonia and nitrite), then it isn't totally cycled. But it is close! Hurray!

Hey my nitrite doesn't seem to be going down any. Do I just need more patience? Also, i noticed 2 days ago that my axies back legs were floating and yesterday he was back to normal. Now today his legs lift way up and his back is sticking out of the water. What do you suggest?

 

[Caesar]

Hey my nitrite doesn't seem to be going down any. Do I just need more patience? Also, i noticed 2 days ago that my axies back legs were floating and yesterday he was back to normal. Now today his legs lift way up and his back is sticking out of the water. What do you suggest?

He is fine now! still concerned about the nitrate though.

 

[Caesar]

I'm not sure I understand the question, but it it wasn't able to take the 4 ppm of ammonia all the way from ammonia to nitrate (0 ppm ammonia and nitrite), then it isn't totally cycled. But it is close! Hurray!

now the ammonia levels arent fully reaching zero. and the nitrite level hasn't changed. Now my axolotl has a white fungus on his gills. >.< Why is everything going wrong.

 

[Caesar]

As stated here,
The (almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling - Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community

"One morning you’ll wake up and when you test the water…Ammo and nitrItes will be gone! They’ll have vanished overnight! Technically this means your cycle is complete, but we’ve still got a bit of testing to do to make sure."

I am having the most trouble with this part. Why do they make it sound so easy? It's misleading.. I am trying really hard to get him back in the tank.

 

[LSuzuki]

You may have answered this already, but the thread has gotten pretty long ...

What is your pH?

How often are you changing the water in the container you have your axie in?

 

[Caesar]

You may have answered this already, but the thread has gotten pretty long ...

What is your pH?

How often are you changing the water in the container you have your axie in?

Daily, 100% in dechlorinated water. the ph from the tap is usually 7.4.

 

[Caesar]

Also I am trying to get my nitrite levels down to readable levels. and I just did a 50% pwc and the nitrite level did not change AT ALL.

 

[LSuzuki]

How long ago was it that you actually started seeing nitrite? It is a different sort of bacteria that eats the nitrite than the kind that eats the ammonia (and makes the nitrite). So, the nitrite eating bacteria don't even get started until you start seeing nitrite.

The reason I asked about pH is that very low pH can stall the cycle.

 

[AxolotlChris]

The cycling process can take from 3-6 weeks.

For your tank to be cycled, a beneficial bacteria needs to be present to break down the Ammonia and Nitrites into Nitrates. Ammonia and Nitrites are lethal to Axolotl and are produced from your Axolotls waste and decomposing food. Nitrates are a slightly less toxic by product. During cycling the beneficial bacteria will colonize your tanks surfaces such as substrate, ornaments, filter, and begin to feed on the Ammonia turning it into Nitrites, then bacteria will break down the Nitrites into Nitrates. The bacteria is known as a 'biofilter', as it filters the ammonia and nitrites into less harmful nitrates.

Once this cycle is established by the beneficial bacteria colonizing the tank, the Ammonia, and Nitrites will always be filtered by the bacteria into Nitrates, all you have to do is monitor you cycle by testing your water weekly so that when your Nitrates build up to around 40ppm you can perform a 30% water change to lower the Nitrates.

You seem to be stuck at the stage of your Nitrites not being filtered into the final NitrAtes. You will just need to be patient, and the cycle will continue. If you get excessive levels of ammonia and Nitrites do a 30% water change and then test your water again. You just want to be looking for a rise in NitrAtes then you know your Nitrites are begining to be filtered.

Make sure you are following the instructions that came with your testing kit perfectly, this way you will get true results.

Are you using dechlorinator?

Can you post images of your Axolotl in its separate container?

Axolotls will usually only develop fungus if there is a breach in their slim layer from damaged to the skin/gills, if the water quality is poor, and if the temperature is too high.

 

[Caesar]

The cycling process can take from 3-6 weeks.

For your tank to be cycled, a beneficial bacteria needs to be present to break down the Ammonia and Nitrites into Nitrates. Ammonia and Nitrites are lethal to Axolotl and are produced from your Axolotls waste and decomposing food. Nitrates are a slightly less toxic by product. During cycling the beneficial bacteria will colonize your tanks surfaces such as substrate, ornaments, filter, and begin to feed on the Ammonia turning it into Nitrites, then bacteria will break down the Nitrites into Nitrates. The bacteria is known as a 'biofilter', as it filters the ammonia and nitrites into less harmful nitrates.

Once this cycle is established by the beneficial bacteria colonizing the tank, the Ammonia, and Nitrites will always be filtered by the bacteria into Nitrates, all you have to do is monitor you cycle by testing your water weekly so that when your Nitrates build up to around 40ppm you can perform a 30% water change to lower the Nitrates.

You seem to be stuck at the stage of your Nitrites not being filtered into the final NitrAtes. You will just need to be patient, and the cycle will continue. If you get excessive levels of ammonia and Nitrites do a 30% water change and then test your water again. You just want to be looking for a rise in NitrAtes then you know your Nitrites are begining to be filtered.

Make sure you are following the instructions that came with your testing kit perfectly, this way you will get true results.

Are you using dechlorinator?

Can you post images of your Axolotl in its separate container?

Axolotls will usually only develop fungus if there is a breach in their slim layer from damaged to the skin/gills, if the water quality is poor, and if the temperature is too high.

Yes, I am using dechlorinator.
I think the temperature got too high because my family let the inside of our house get to 80. Then thought I was overreacting because I said it could KILL my axolotl. ?? k.

However, the water temperature should be much lower in the higher 60s and even better when I get him to the tank.

Here is a picture of his gills:
Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting

another link in case that one doesn't work..

 

[Caesar]

How long ago was it that you actually started seeing nitrite? It is a different sort of bacteria that eats the nitrite than the kind that eats the ammonia (and makes the nitrite). So, the nitrite eating bacteria don't even get started until you start seeing nitrite.

The reason I asked about pH is that very low pH can stall the cycle.

If anything the pH is high,
It is at a 7.4/7.6 right now.

Also, I feel like since I had my axolotl in the tank since day 1 and just now started cycling it, there have always been nitrites. Especially with all the bloodworms/waste that was in the tank. :lick:

 

[LSuzuki]

7.6 is not particularly high. Mine is 8.2.

But were you able to measure nitrite before the ammonia started dropping? Typically, there isn't measurable nitrite in the water before then, so nothing for nitrite eating bacteria to eat. (Some water supplies have nitrite/nitrate - I'm not sure at what levels though.)