Getting my first axie!! Any help would be great!! :)

A

alexdotl

New member
Joined
Apr 28, 2015
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Perth
Country
Australia
Hey guys,
First post and just want to make sure that I have everything sorted out before I actually get an axie (have been wanting one for ages but finally got a decent tank).

1. Ok, so I have a tank that is around 120litres (32ish gallons) and it is fully cleaned and scrubbed (I didn't use any chemicals or anything just scrubbed it until it looked really clean. But I don't have a filter yet. Best brands? I live in Australia but am happy to get something from overseas if it is better.
2. Also, which type of cycle is best? I have read a lot but still haven't fully been able to understand the fish-less cycle. What readings does everything have to be at when it's finally good? What brands of everything is best (test kit, water conditioner etc.)? And I know it's a pretty big ask, but can someone give me an exact list of EVERYTHING that I will need to get my tank clean and aid in the cycle etc.
3. Live plants before or after cycle? I was just wondering if the chemicals would kill or damage the plants (I know there's a chance that the axie would do that anyways but I think that the plants would provide extra hiding places and comfort). Best plants for axies? Oh and in PERSONAL experience: sand or large rocks or bare bottom (not too great for live plants!).


Sorry for the essay, but I just want to make sure everything is perfect. Any help would be absolutely appreciated so thankyou for even looking at this thread! If anyone could grab or make a list of everything, I will need, that would be fantastic!!
 
Oh and the best chiller/cooler as it can get up to 45degrees Celsius in summer that is not going to completely burn a hole in my pocket!!
 
I use an aqua nova canister filter and so far I am pretty happy with it. I prefer canister filters personally. The one I have is super quiet and haven't had any issues at all. It has a spray bar which helps disperse the flow a bit and because it is external it doesn't heat the water like some internal ones do.

Best type of cycle is a fishless cycle. Below is a link you may find helpful. I used Black and Gold brand cloudy ammonia. It is not very possible to find pure ammonia in Australia and I would steer clear of cloudy ammonia generally as it usually contains soaps but someone here recommended this brand and I have now cycled several tanks with it without issue.

The (almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling - Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community

I had live plants straight away. The only chemicals you really need are dechlorinator and an ammonia source (to cycle the tank). As axolotls like cold water and not too much light, the best plants are those that do well in low light cold water. Anubias seems to do well.

I personally don't like large rocks. You need to have rocks that are bigger than the axolotls head as they may ingest them otherwise which can be dangerous. Large rocks also allow debris to fall through the gaps and this ca make cleaning more difficult. I prefer sand. A fine grain silica based sand is best. I used Richgro play sand (sieve out the pebbles first) rinsed very thoroughly. You can get a bag for $8-9 at Bunnings or Magnrt mart/home hardware.

I don't have a chiller here so couldn't advise on best one. I have clip on fans and a mesh lid to cool my tank but you will likely need a chiller in Perth. I am sure others will be able to suggest good ones :)
 
I use an aqua nova canister filter and so far I am pretty happy with it. I prefer canister filters personally. The one I have is super quiet and haven't had any issues at all. It has a spray bar which helps disperse the flow a bit and because it is external it doesn't heat the water like some internal ones do.

Best type of cycle is a fishless cycle. Below is a link you may find helpful. I used Black and Gold brand cloudy ammonia. It is not very possible to find pure ammonia in Australia and I would steer clear of cloudy ammonia generally as it usually contains soaps but someone here recommended this brand and I have now cycled several tanks with it without issue.

The (almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling - Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community

I had live plants straight away. The only chemicals you really need are dechlorinator and an ammonia source (to cycle the tank). As axolotls like cold water and not too much light, the best plants are those that do well in low light cold water. Anubias seems to do well.

I personally don't like large rocks. You need to have rocks that are bigger than the axolotls head as they may ingest them otherwise which can be dangerous. Large rocks also allow debris to fall through the gaps and this can make cleaning more difficult. I prefer sand. A fine grain silica based sand is best. I used Richgro play sand (sieve out the pebbles first) rinsed very thoroughly. You can get a bag for $8-9 at Bunnings or Magnrt mart/home hardware.

I don't have a chiller here so couldn't advise on best one. I have clip on fans and a mesh lid to cool my tank but you will likely need a chiller in Perth. I am sure others will be able to suggest good ones :)
 
Thankyou for the response! Do you have any idea about AquaOne hang on filters? They seem to be the most readily available filter and I used to have a small one when I had tropical fish and it worked pretty well. I would obviously need a bigger one but just wanting to know how they go with axolotls. Another thing, which is why I asked about the large rocks, how would large rocks with sand poured between them up to about halfway? Would this help hold live plants intact as well as not be a huge risk with the axies? The cycling link is absolutely fabulous by the way!! Really helpful. It also gets quite cold in winter so heating methods?

Again sorry for the questions but want it to be done thoroughly rather than get an axie straight up and sort myself around time restraints!!
Thanks
 
I forgot to add:

I use the API freshwater master test kit. i would get a liquid test kit such as this one. Avoid the test strips as these tend to be less reliable. You will need one with at least tests for ammonia, nitrite,nitrate and PH. Also get a thermometer to monitor the temperature. Any water conditioner is fine as long as it says it removes chlorine and chloramine. I use API brand but I believe many members here use Prime.

A cycled tank will show readings of zero ammonia and nitrite and a reading of nitrate. You want to keep nitrate below 40ppm though once you have axolotls in the tank which you can do with regular water changes. so axolotls (or any aquatic life) produce poo which turns into ammonia. A colony of bacteria feed on the ammonia and convert the ammonia into nitrite. Another type of bacteria feeds on nitrite and converts nitrite into nitrate. Nitrate is the end part of the cycle. Cycling is the process of building up colonies of these bacteria. I hope that makes sense
 
alexdotl said:
Thankyou for the response! Do you have any idea about AquaOne hang on filters? They seem to be the most readily available filter and I used to have a small one when I had tropical fish and it worked pretty well. I would obviously need a bigger one but just wanting to know how they go with axolotls. Another thing, which is why I asked about the large rocks, how would large rocks with sand poured between them up to about halfway? Would this help hold live plants intact as well as not be a huge risk with the axies? The cycling link is absolutely fabulous by the way!! Really helpful. It also gets quite cold in winter so heating methods?

Again sorry for the questions but want it to be done thoroughly rather than get an axie straight up and sort myself around time restraints!!
Thanks
Click to expand...

I have an aqua one hob filter on my goldfish tank. I don't mind it and would be ok if the outflow is dispersed and on a lower setting. I do prefer my canister filter though but this is personal preference. Either would be fine.

I wouldn't use both sand with large rocks as it would still have the same issue. Sand needs to be stirred up regularly to prevent noxious gas build ups. Sand is fine as long as the axolotls are bigger than five inches long. You could though place a few large rocks here and there. Again it is personal preference but I wouldn't choose both myself.

No heating at all even in winter. Heaters are prone to malfunctioning and are not necessary during winter. I would not recommend it.

And always good to ask questions :) it is good to see you are doing your research before bringing them home :)
 
Skudo09 said:
I have an aqua one hob filter on my goldfish tank. I don't mind it and would be ok if the outflow is dispersed and on a lower setting. I do prefer my canister filter though but this is personal preference. Either would be fine.

I wouldn't use both sand with large rocks as it would still have the same issue. Sand needs to be stirred up regularly to prevent noxious gas build ups. Sand is fine as long as the axolotls are bigger than five inches long. You could though place a few large rocks here and there. Again it is personal preference but I wouldn't choose both myself.

No heating at all even in winter. Heaters are prone to malfunctioning and are not necessary during winter. I would not recommend it.

And always good to ask questions :) it is good to see you are doing your research before bringing them home :)
Click to expand...
best plants are those that do well in low light cold water.
Click to expand...
No heaters at all? We do have a wood fire on through most of winter but on other nights it can get very cold. Oh and as far as live plants go, I heard moss balls are great but illegal in Australia..?
 
No heater at all. They won't need it and heaters can malfunction. I don't know about moss balls. Never had them. But I have seen members here have them and have wanted to try them...
 
Skudo is correct. No heater. Axies are quite happy at 10 degrees. Or even less. It's temperatures above 20 degrees that are a problem.

I use large flat river stones to hold live plants in place, which means moving them and replacing all the plants whenever a major tank clean is done. I have also seen a tank with plants rooted in small, partly wire-covered planter boxes on the tank floor, which seems like a good option and I'd really like to try this. Basically, bare bottom tanks are much easier to clean, which really helps you maintain good water readings, so that is probably the safest way to start.
 
Good to see you're asking before you buy ...... I'm in Sydney and have a chiller running until the weather cools down, winter time I can just turn it off and let the tank get as cold as it wants, usually this is when I am greeted with tons of eggs :D

I also have a Marino moss ball (from eBay) but it's disintergrating due to lack of light, the Axies push it around from time to time, hehehe looks like they're playing soccer or sometimes they sit on it.
 
I know you're all saying no heating, but last night it got down to 1 degree. It was absolutely freezing!! And for summer, what chiller do you use Jen?
Thanks for the response guys!!
 
Even at 1 degree Celsius outside the water in the tank inside will still be far warmer. I live in canberra and have absolutely no need for a heater even in the middle of winter. Don't get a heater. You would more likely overheat the axolotl
 
Hi there, I have a Hailea chiller bought online from Guppy's Aquarium in Qld, best investment as I don't have to worry at all in summer as the chiller is set to maintain at 18c max. Like I said, in autumn & winter I just leave the water to get as cold as it wants - Axies love the cooler temps, lower the better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top