Advice on rescuing Axolotl

[Tadpoles]

Hello,

I need to rescue an Axolotl who's about to become homeless but do not have enough time to cycle his tank before I need to receive him.

I have a 47 gallon for him that's empty right now. I can fill it and start cycling with a colonized filter from another, established coldwater tank and lots of plants.
My water is untreated well water, no chlorine/chloramine or nitrates/nitrites, neutral pH and hard. I only have a few days before I receive the creature, who is almost a year-old male.
I can't find any consensus on using API Quickstart/Tetra Safestart. It would seem that these would help by heavily inoculating with bacteria, so long as they have Ammonia source?

Is it ok to keep him temporarily in a 10 gallon with frequent water changes until his home is ready? Sounds as though the university labs kept theirs in tubs.

I realize this is not ideal but it's the situation I'm in. Thanks in advance for your help.

Secondary question regards placing natural slate tile in bottom of his tank for a substrate. I will grow some plants in pots and have floaters. Will simply placing slate on the aquarium floor cause problems with small volume of stagnant water sitting in the small voids under the slate due its irregular surface, or am I overthinking this?

 

[wolfen]

ideally the axolotl will need tubbing whilst the tank is cycling, it is easier to tub then use a larger container ie.. ten gallon tank, this is because the water will need to be changed 100% daily to prevent ammonia build up.
slate will be ok for the bottom but unless it is sealed to the bottom (bit like bathroom tiles) muck and waste can get trapped underneath.

 

[Tadpoles]

Wolfen, thank you very much for your swift and helpful reply.
When changing 100% of the tub water, does one quickly lift Axolotl from dirty tub into another, clean tub or siphon all the water out and quickly add fresh?
Do you have any advice on the efficacy of proprietary bacterial inoculations for new tank setup?

 

[wolfen]

it is easier using two tubs, one with clean fresh water, the other with the axolotl and used water, just transfer the axolotl to the clean tub then clean used tub ready for next change, use sponge but not detergent to clean tubs, very mild bleach can be used as can hydrogen peroxide, vinegar or sodium bicarbonate, used soft net or after washing hands (no detergents and just water) use hands, almond leaves are beneficial and can help with stress, add 2g/l non-iodised salt to the tub to help prevent any fungal issues and to make any ammonia build up less harmful as well as making the water more suitable.
bottled bacteria can be used and be quite effective, please bare in mind most bottled bacteria is for tropical water where as axolotl tanks are cold water so pond bacteria is more suited.
I always recommend using 2g/l non-iodised salt with axolotls for health although some plants aren't able to cope with the level, if the water is lacking minerals and carbonates 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate can be used (the solution can be altered depending on original water levels ie.. if kh is high then bicarbonate of soda isn't required etc..) using holtfreters is preferable as it provides essential salts/minerals.

 

[Tadpoles]

it is easier using two tubs, one with clean fresh water, the other with the axolotl and used water, just transfer the axolotl to the clean tub then clean used tub ready for next change, use sponge but not detergent to clean tubs, very mild bleach can be used as can hydrogen peroxide, vinegar or sodium bicarbonate, used soft net or after washing hands (no detergents and just water) use hands, almond leaves are beneficial and can help with stress, add 2g/l non-iodised salt to the tub to help prevent any fungal issues and to make any ammonia build up less harmful as well as making the water more suitable.
bottled bacteria can be used and be quite effective, please bare in mind most bottled bacteria is for tropical water where as axolotl tanks are cold water so pond bacteria is more suited.
I always recommend using 2g/l non-iodised salt with axolotls for health although some plants aren't able to cope with the level, if the water is lacking minerals and carbonates 50% holtfreters + 0.1g/l magnesium sulphate can be used (the solution can be altered depending on original water levels ie.. if kh is high then bicarbonate of soda isn't required etc..) using holtfreters is preferable as it provides essential salts/minerals.

Thanks again, this is all very helpful.