Question: Am I Doing Things Right?

[Autumnfeb]

I recently got a used tank (don't worry my dad throughly sterilized it) that should be able to house a young axolotl until it is about full-grown (dy then my snake will be too big for his tank swell and axie go into sterilized and cycled snake tank and snake go into brand-new tank) the tank has no leaks, and came with sand and a few rocks and seashells. We also added in a plastic plant. We are using a Penguin Power Sponge Filter (it has good reviews for messy turtles and amphibians) and have the aeration turned on. We set it up so their isn't much current (the plant is barely moving) except for around the filter near the top of the water. My dad, being a chemist and has good experience with setting up tanks, put in some Nutrafin Cycle stuff. It's supposed to have good bacteria that makes your tank go through it's cycle faster.
I don't have a picture of the tank at this time but I will get one soon.

 

[IanF]

What you've done sounds fine, just amke sure to leave the tank to cycle for at least a week, preferably two. Good luck with your axolotl. Oh and can I ask how many gallons the tank is?

 

[Autumnfeb]

As for the gallons I'm not 100% sure. The person who was selling it said it was 20 gallons but my dad says it looks more like 10...

I've been reading some more around the forums and it seems like some people have their axolotls in the tank during the cycle, so when should I get one and put it in the tank?

 

[Jess]

You can cycle the tank with an axie in it, but since your tank is so small the spiking ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels could harm your axie if you aren't diligent with your daily 20% water changes. Some people consider this method cruel, but as long as you are diligent with testing the water and changing it, you should be fine.

The upside of cycling with an animal though is you have a constant ammonia source to fuel the cycling. I also think that having an air stone helps the cycling finish faster, but that's just my personal opinion. I am still relatively new at this compared to others here.

 

[IanF]

Its really up to you what you do but if you choose to cycle the tank with the axolotl in it, be extremely careful. Personally, I'd keep on the safe side and be patient.