Check list for axolotl : what do i need to keep an axy

T

teesha

Guest
What do i need before my axolotl comes home...like the basics...a tank, ect...
And then what should i add later??
I already have a tank i just want to know everything, i have an idea-but it's theoretically based from web sites and not personal experiences.
Thanx
 
firstly make sure your tank is cycled properly. this'll depend on the tank and what you have in there already. there's articles on the caudata culture site and some on axolotl.org as well I think. (may need a test kit to do this right)
Make sure you have loads of places where they can hide out of the light. (don't keep the tank in too bright a place.)
Filter for the tank. Airstone would be optional.
Plants (real or fake) for the axies to play in.
Sand or large stones/slate as a base/substrate in the tank (NOT GRAVEL)
 
Teesha, just a note, most of the sites on the web are based on personal experience and information given by owners.

Have you read www.axolotl.org? It has all the info you need for a basic setup for your axolotlss. Also, plants aren't necessary if you have adequate hiding places. The axolotls do not play in them.
 
they sort of do play in them. they like to hang out in them so axies probably do like them. i think plants are nessecary for a great looking tank!!. but dont u really need them all that much.
 
thermometer
test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph
water dechlorinator
buckets and siphon for water change/python that attaches to tap
spare 'sick container', can be used as quarentine tank etc
tweezers/chopsticks etc for feeding unless hand feeding
pump/airpump + airfilter

thats all i can think of right now
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Thanx a heap u guys...yes i have read that site, Jarred.....from front to cover!! It's awesome!
I've owned fish for years so i have most of the stuff! which is cool! Just gotta find it and get it organized now.
 
Thats what I meant alex - as mine have gotten to learn their way around the tank they're starting to "chill" while holding onto plants and on top of them etc. and will climb around them, push off them etc.
 
Well, they can always go to the surface and take a gulp of air if there isn't enough oxygen in the water.
 
They need a "normal" amount of oxygen. It would be unhealthy to keep them in a tank where they had to rely on gulping at the surface for air. The surface of the water will naturally "exchange" enough air to give them enough oxygen, unless you have a solid glass lid and no air coming in via the filter.
 
the pet shop told me they need alot of oxygen adn so u need an air pump and filter on at all times....they put 2 pumps in one tank...i think it would cause a strong current. whos right?
 
not the pet shop thats for sure. axolotls HATE strong current, they need normal amounts of air in their tanks but they have rudimentry lungs anyway so can use those if need be.
i dont have any filters in my tank but i do moniter them closely, i do have a air stone on sometimes (goes off at night) and they dont gulp out of the ordinary or anything, but in saying that my water is normally 16C on ordinary days, never been over 22C in summer either
 
i've got everything other than the nitrite and nitrate test kits! So i'll be getting an axie probably within a fortnight! wish my luck!
 
Good luck!!!
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Its been a while now, that youve been waiting.
Hope it all goes well
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wicked, post some pics if you can when you new babies in its home!
 
I just bought some sand today that Im going to put into the tank & take out the gravel, the sand is playsand which it says has been screened and washed, my question is do I still need to do anything to it before I put it into the tank?
Thanks guy's
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i just wash and bake mine, i always find its easier to work with but if yours still has water in it just wash it and give it a soak in boiling water. make sure you turn off any filters as sand can stuff their impellors.

also watch your readings for the next few days, taking out gravel will take out alot of your significant bacteria so a water change of 20% or so every 2-3 days along with light feeding should keep things in check. i did that for 2 weeks on my tank just to be safe
 
that axolotl i bought on that day just died a few days ago, eighter due to stress or an ammonia spike from feeder fish my mother thought would be a great idea to buy 7 big ones all at once.....yeh rite....
I think she was begining to morph, i might be wrong, but she'd been a little off lately.
here is a pic of her for those interested. this is her life stages:
it has been 7 wonderful months, she will be sadly missed.
70345.jpg
 
She'll be badly missed - a truly beautiful animal with a sweet nature.
 
If she was morphing then it might have been the stress of it all as well as those fish. Silly mum...
 
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