Algae in Axolotl Tank

[Axolotl:D]

Hello everyone,
Yesterday I had seen what looked like a white, hair-like fungus growing on my axolotl tank. I thought it was algae at first, so let it pass. The next day, however, my axolotl had some of what looked like the bacteria around its feet/claws. This is when I had thought it had been a fungus. To cut to the chase, there is a fungal infection in my tank that is surrounding my axolotl's hiding place, a plant, and the wire for the thermometer. So, I have a few questions about this such as how to treat it and many more questions. To start: How do I treat the tank? When I treat the tank is it ok to leave the Axie in there? What should I treat the tank with? Should I try salt baths? Finally, what else should I do that you think will help?
Thanks, Caden (there are photos below)

 

[Not Albino Alex]

Is that real wood in the tank? And I'm not 100% sure but I think it's nitrates that make algae and fungus so do more often water changes and if your really worried look for some nitrates remover. Also if you don't already get some test strips of ph, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. Ammonia and nitrites need to be lower than 0.5ppm and nitrates can be ok up to I would say 15ppm (my opinion). I have seen that fungus at the pet store i got my axoltol so it csnt be thst bad in small amounts. Hope I can help.

 

[AMurry24537]

Fungus growths are related to poor water quality, so as mentioned, definitely do more frequent water changes. If you can safely grab bits of the fungus (without damaging anything), you can definitely remove it manually, but without treating the cause, it will just grow back.

Sometimes introducing new decor/plants can cause fungus issues. If you recently added something, I would recommend removing it. If it's not alive, clean it with boiling water. If it's plants, always be sure to quarantine them for a couple of weeks before adding then to a tank.

In terms of treatment (other than frequent water changes), I would recommend trying black tea baths before salt baths. The effects of tea baths are more debatable, but they're a LOT less stressful to your axolotl and I've had really good results. To be fair I've only had to deal with mild fungus, and actually, I haven't even had to do true tea baths. I usually like to add the tea directly to the tank (at a much lower concentration than there would be for a tea bath). Here's what I do when I notice any kind of fungus:

Brew some black tea (be sure that it's 100% black tea, no extra ingredients). Cool the black tea in the fridge before adding it to the tank. I usually add around 8 oz. per gallon. This will turn the water into kind of a light amber color. A true tea bath is way more concentrated (though it's definitely not just straight up tea, you still have to mix it with tank water) and is usually done in a separate tub. There are several guides online.

I also do 50-60% water changes every 12 hours. When the water starts clearing up (because of the water changes) I dose it again. The water changes are the most important part in my opinion. It keeps the fungus from building up (since spores are everywhere, bo matter what) while the black tea helps to soothe the axolotl's skin and keep it comfortable.

If you've done the water changes, added the tea, done more concentrated tea baths, and it doesn't start to clear up within 2 days or so, then I would try salt baths. There's actually a great guide for that in this website that should pop up if you Google it.

 

[Axolotl:D]

Fungus growths are related to poor water quality, so as mentioned, definitely do more frequent water changes. If you can safely grab bits of the fungus (without damaging anything), you can definitely remove it manually, but without treating the cause, it will just grow back.

Sometimes introducing new decor/plants can cause fungus issues. If you recently added something, I would recommend removing it. If it's not alive, clean it with boiling water. If it's plants, always be sure to quarantine them for a couple of weeks before adding then to a tank.

In terms of treatment (other than frequent water changes), I would recommend trying black tea baths before salt baths. The effects of tea baths are more debatable, but they're a LOT less stressful to your axolotl and I've had really good results. To be fair I've only had to deal with mild fungus, and actually, I haven't even had to do true tea baths. I usually like to add the tea directly to the tank (at a much lower concentration than there would be for a tea bath). Here's what I do when I notice any kind of fungus:

Brew some black tea (be sure that it's 100% black tea, no extra ingredients). Cool the black tea in the fridge before adding it to the tank. I usually add around 8 oz. per gallon. This will turn the water into kind of a light amber color. A true tea bath is way more concentrated (though it's definitely not just straight up tea, you still have to mix it with tank water) and is usually done in a separate tub. There are several guides online.

I also do 50-60% water changes every 12 hours. When the water starts clearing up (because of the water changes) I dose it again. The water changes are the most important part in my opinion. It keeps the fungus from building up (since spores are everywhere, bo matter what) while the black tea helps to soothe the axolotl's skin and keep it comfortable.

If you've done the water changes, added the tea, done more concentrated tea baths, and it doesn't start to clear up within 2 days or so, then I would try salt baths. There's actually a great guide for that in this website that should pop up if you Google it.

Ok so the water parameters are all set. Nothing new has been added to the tank recently and everything followed the guidelines. We don’t have black tea and a pump to do water changes yet. We have melafix and we were wondering if we should do this. Our pump will be here on Sunday so should I try the medicine and then wait to use water change? Also is the medicine safe?

 

[AMurry24537]

Ok so the water parameters are all set. Nothing new has been added to the tank recently and everything followed the guidelines. We don’t have black tea and a pump to do water changes yet. We have melafix and we were wondering if we should do this. Our pump will be here on Sunday so should I try the medicine and then wait to use water change? Also is the medicine safe?

I don't have any experience with melafix, so I can't advise on that, but I would definitely start doing water changes ASAP. By "pump," are you referring to a siphon or to a pump that powers your filter? If you are referring to a siphon, I would just use a bucket to start the water change. Particularly in a newer tank, the water changes are a BIG deal. Also, I should have asked this sooner, but what are your water parameters (temperature, ph, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates) and what kind of test kit are you using to test these?

 

[Axolotl:D]

I don't have any experience with melafix, so I can't advise on that, but I would definitely start doing water changes ASAP. By "pump," are you referring to a siphon or to a pump that powers your filter? If you are referring to a siphon, I would just use a bucket to start the water change. Particularly in a newer tank, the water changes are a BIG deal. Also, I should have asked this sooner, but what are your water parameters (temperature, ph, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates) and what kind of test kit are you using to test these?

Ok, it’s a siphon. The water parameters are as follows: PH=7.5 Nitrete=0 Nitrate=0 KH=7 gh=190. We are using the pond test strips. And I will use the bucket. Thanks!

 

[JM29]

there is a fungal infection in my tank that is surrounding my axolotl's hiding place, a plant, and the wire for the thermometer

So, is it fungus or algae ?
The causes of these 2 "problems" may be different.

Fungi need at least organic matter, even if some can use nitrates.
So, fungi on real plants, or axolotl, or real wood is possible, but not on the wire of the thermometer, except if there is a load of soluble organic matter in the water itself (I hope no).

Algae can go on every solid support, including the wire of the thermometer (are there any on the fake plants ?).
With 0 nitrates, algae could develop using ammonium, particularly if they are not challenged by plants. If the plant on the 3rd picture is a Microsorium (Java fern) like the others, you shouldn't plant it in sand but instead fix it on wood or rock. If all your Microsorium are planted like that, they won't "work" well and the algae will take advantage.

 

[Axolotl:D]

So, is it fungus or algae ?
The causes of these 2 "problems" may be different.

Fungi need at least organic matter, even if some can use nitrates.
So, fungi on real plants, or axolotl, or real wood is possible, but not on the wire of the thermometer, except if there is a load of soluble organic matter in the water itself (I hope no).

Algae can go on every solid support, including the wire of the thermometer (are there any on the fake plants ?).
With 0 nitrates, algae could develop using ammonium, particularly if they are not challenged by plants. If the plant on the 3rd picture is a Microsorium (Java fern) like the others, you shouldn't plant it in sand but instead fix it on wood or rock. If all your Microsorium are planted like that, they won't "work" well and the algae will take advantage.

Ok, once again there is no ammonia and I don’t know whether it is either. I cleaned the tank and removed the plants. This helped a lot. I also used mealifx and that also seemed to help. It appears that there is 0 nitrates and 0 nitrites. It might be algae and if so it might have been dealt with. Although, after some research it seems the plants were the anchor of the algae.