rb6k
Member
Hey there,
Like lots of people here I regularly surf the internet looking for information about my Axolotl so I can keep up to date and improve how I look after them. What I've noticed recently is there is no real consistency to the information, which is concerning!
I was under the impression that my set up needed to be as follows, this is only what I have done and not a guide on what to do, I am hoping that with some responses I can edit parts of this to be more of a guide for myself, and anyone that fancies reading it, I know they've been done before but there are so many variations I just want to sit and write one myself so I know how it got to the state it is in and whether it is a reliable source.
So here goes:
Now I think that is everything I've done, if I think of anything else I will add it.
So my biggest questions are:
Anything else I think of I'll add in.
Sorry for the long post. I hope it is useful, I really want to spend some time whittling down what is fact, opinion, best practice and poor practice.
Thanks!
Like lots of people here I regularly surf the internet looking for information about my Axolotl so I can keep up to date and improve how I look after them. What I've noticed recently is there is no real consistency to the information, which is concerning!
I was under the impression that my set up needed to be as follows, this is only what I have done and not a guide on what to do, I am hoping that with some responses I can edit parts of this to be more of a guide for myself, and anyone that fancies reading it, I know they've been done before but there are so many variations I just want to sit and write one myself so I know how it got to the state it is in and whether it is a reliable source.
So here goes:
- 3ft tank (ie a tank of decent size)
- A place for the axolotl to 'hide' when they feel like it
- A water filter
- An air pump to oxygenate the water
- No Heater because the water has to be like 19-22 degrees
- No stones that can fit in the axolotl's mouth
- Best thing is no substrate or sand. I chose nothing because I felt it would be cleaner
- Replace 25% of the water every week or so, big clean outs every 3 weeks or so.
- Clean the filter using a bucket of water from the tank ONLY so that it keeps the bacteria
- Use dechlorinator on the water before you stick it in the tank (or leave the water to sit for 2 days before using it, which is the free way to dechlorinate.
- Moth balls are fun for them to play with (although mine ignore them, they look nice though)
- A plant/weed can help keep things running smoothly, regulating nitrates...
- Feed them earthworms, or blood worms...amongst other things.
Now I think that is everything I've done, if I think of anything else I will add it.
So my biggest questions are:
- How often should I be changing the water in small quantities?
- How often should I be doing a big clean? (Some sites say bi-monthly!)
- Is there a cleaner way to feed them blood worms? I would absolutely love a tube (like some guttering) with semi circle doors cut into it, so I can throw the blood worm into the tube, and they will float to the bottom and be there in the opening ready for the axolotl to eat, I have yet to find something that fits this description though!)
- Do I need an air pump? Some places say no!
- Do you need a filter? I am almost certain the answer is yes. BUT! I visited a couple of 'exotic pet refuges' that basically had Axolotl stored in glorified lunch boxes filled halfway to the top.
- Regarding the filter - I have one that is basically a white sponge in the middle of a filter that sucks water through the sponge. I have seen black 'bio' sponges that are half the length, is the idea here that I buy a half sized white one, and a half sized black one, and it filters out more bio waste? Would this improve the tank for axolotl much?
- One refuge I visited had adult axolotl walking around in shallow (ish) water with dry parts, while impractical for me, should I be providing a dry bit in the tank ever? I didn't think so, but am imagining I am wrong.
Anything else I think of I'll add in.
Sorry for the long post. I hope it is useful, I really want to spend some time whittling down what is fact, opinion, best practice and poor practice.
Thanks!