Advice Needed

[LindseyXLoo]

Let me begin by saying I am new to Axolotls, but have had several types of aquatic animals in the past. This past Thursday, I brought home two axolotls; one female and one male for my 55 gallon tank. I did not cycle the tank but for a day; the previous owner told me as long as I used something like "safe start," I would be ok. I did use Prime as directed to dechlorinate the water.
All seemed to be going well until last night when I arrived home and found the female floating and very very lethargic. I fridged her, but was too late, and she passed soon after. I then checked the parameters on the tank. All levels were fine aside from the pH, which was a little high (but not dangerously so) and the ammonia level was at .5.
The remaining axolotl seemed fine. I did a water change (25%) both that night and the following morning. The ammonia level dropped to .25. The temperature is a constant 70.
This afternoon I arrived home and the male seemed lethargic as well. He has refused food for a few days and considering the recent passing of his tankmate, I am very concerned. something is wrong with my tank. What can I do to remove the remaining ammonia? Is .5 a lethal amount?
I have fridged him as well. I didn't know what else to do.

 

[ChristineB]

Welcome and so sorry about your pets. According to the care sheets and cycling instructions on this site, although small amounts of ammonia like in your tank could stress them over time, usually it would be up closer to 7.0 before killing them outright. I would guess it was a contaminant or illness. Some "safe start" products have aloe vera and there's been cases of irritation from it on here. I don't know if it can be deadly though. What did you feed them? Maybe it was contaminated? Maybe some of the pros have seen something like this before. :-(

 

[LindseyXLoo]

I feed them earthworms, cut up. They ate really well the first few days but starting refusing food over the weekend. The male is still fridged, and seems to be alright. I just retested the water after a water change, and the ammonia is holding at .25. pH is high; about 7.8 and no nitrites/nitrates.

 

[keiko]

I've read some incidents online where the "safe start" stuff has included some chemicals that can be dangerous to axolotls. Even if not, it still doesn't replace cycling the tank properly. It might help speed up the cycling process a little (or not), but I'd stay away from them.

Other possibilities are some other contaminants in the water or food, or they might've been sick already when you bought them.

0.5 ppm ammonia shouldn't be lethal. The only way to get rid of ammonia while your tank is cycling is to do frequent water changes. Read up on fish-in cycling. Axolotls are more sensitive to bad water quality than most fish for example.

Have you read the fridging guide on here? If not, do it now. But the most important thing is to do daily 100% water changes with water that is the same temperature as the water he's in. Let him be in the fridge at lest for a few more days and then warm him up slowly.