Air Gulping and Bare Bottom

[AquaAmphib]

Is it normal for axolotls to gulp air and do axolotls have a grip on glass? Mine doesn't seem to have a problem with the glass but the air gulping has me worried

 

[LSuzuki]

If, by air gulping, you mean, going to the surface once in a while to get air, then yes, that is perfectly normal. They have rudimentary lungs. If they are constantly going up for air, that could mean there isn't enough oxygen in the water or the parameters are way off.

Water parameters: Are you checking your water parameters regularly to make sure you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and low nitrates (under 40 ppm)? Is your temperature low enough (in the 60's F)?

I'm not sure what you mean about having a grip on glass. They have a hard time walking on glass, like in a bare bottom tank, but it isn't a problem. They still get where they are going. :happy:

 

[AquaAmphib]

Ok thanks maybe i will put a bubbler for more oxygen to be put in the water and also how much sand would be needed for the axolotl to gain traction?

 

[LSuzuki]

It doesn't take much if you are only doing it for traction. I've got a 5 lb bag of sand for the bottom of a 40 gallon tank, which is a pretty thin layer. I have to keep evening it out, though, since the axolotls move it around while walking on it. You want smooth silica sand, such as aquarium sand or playground sand, not rough masonry sand or coral sand. Wash it thoroughly first.

How big is the axolotl? it isn't a good idea to use sand until they are several inches long.

 

[AquaAmphib]

Sand would be fine he 7 in I've had him for a while but he is my first axolotl so I do have some questions still. Speaking of which is glass stressful and is it a problem if he is swimming in the actual water rather than on the bottom or is it fine?

 

[LSuzuki]

I've never heard that being on a bare glass bottom tank is stressful for axolotls, and some people always keep them in such tanks for various reasons.

I haven't keep axolotls much longer than you have. Mine stay mostly on the bottom, but when they were younger, the swam in the water sometimes, mostly to get to the surface for air. But axolotls have all sorts of personalities, so maybe yours is just more athletic. :happy:

 

[AquaAmphib]

OK thanks mines always been athletic so that make sense. But I think the problem I was having is the ammonia, nitrate, and Nitrite levels. Since i put in ammonia neutralizer and an air pump he seems to be doing better. So I think once I have a decent supply of bacteria everything will be fine. :happy:

 

[LSuzuki]

Do you have a test kit to confirm the ammonia etc levels? If not, I recommend getting one. (Don't get the strips, get the drops.)

Some people have had problems with ammonia neutralizers interfering with the bacteria. (I used to think they were mistaken until I experienced something just like that when I bought a new brand of ammonia neutralizer.) I personally prefer water changes (to keep the levels low while cycling) over using a neutralizer and letting the levels get high, but which is best for you depends on so many things (water pH, tank size, your ability to do lots of water changes, whether your water has chloramine, etc.)

 

[AquaAmphib]

Yes id have a drop test kit,and thanks for notifying me of the neutralizer next time I use it ill keep an eye out for that.Also I do usually combine the two just in case.


PS I forgot to mention, I also got bacteria supplement to try and start my bacteria up again so if anyone has experience with that i would be grateful, and the reason i have to restart my bacteria colony is because I mistakenly cleaned his filter completely wiping out the bacteria. But, I think its going to be OK.

 

[LSuzuki]

Many people claim the bacteria supplements don't work and some people claim they do. I doubt that they hurt anything, though. I've never used them. Fortunately, there should be plenty of good bacteria on the other surfaces of the tank so the tank will hopefully re-cycle more quickly regardless of whether the supplements work.

Keep a close watch on the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. :happy:

 

[AquaAmphib]

Ya I will and thanks again for all the help :happy:

 

[RyanTheFIshGuy]

I used safe start plus in my tank WHEN CYCLING and it worked tremendously well. I dont know its effects with animals in the water.