Okay, here goes! :happy:
Hi the tank is about a 40 ltr.
I'm sorry to say to say that size tank is far too small for two axolotls. It's recommended to have a floor space of 18 inches length per axolotl.
If this is not an option for you then more frequent water changes will need to be done to maintain the water quality.
I dont know the PH levels or temp i have never checked
, I clean the water once a week about 10 ltrs at a time.
If the tank is small, the partial water changes will need to be done daily. Axolotls release a lot of waste and this quickly becomes toxic in a small tank with little water volume to dillute it.
We have glass cobblestones as a stubstrate, (i remove all and then use a syphon to clean up the mess)..
A lot of work for you. Have you considered sand or bare bottom tank as substrate? Sand is a dream to keep clean and looks very nice. Bare bottom tank is even better but doesn't look so aesthetically pleasing.
If the stones are less than two centimetres in size they may be ingested by the axolotls while they are snuffling along looking for food and this can be fatal.
Axel is pretty good with him at feeding times i feed him first and then try to feed O'Mally but he freaks out..
O'Mally if he is stressed will not be inclined to eat.
I think you should take him out and keep him in a space of his own for a while (tupperware container, bucket, a tub) so you can monitor him.
You will need to give him a full water change daily with fresh dechlorinated water.
Keep his container in a cool place and keep covered with the tub lid and wrap in a teatowel. I would leave some food in the tub with him and remove the next day if still there. He may be more inclined to eat if he is kept in the cool and dark, is relaxed and doesn't have an audience watching him.
They both have seperate shells that they can hide and there kept in our lounge room which stays fairly dark. I have never seen Axel snap at him they are normally swimming around together or laying on each other.
It's recommended to have at least two hides per axolotl to give them a choice and allow them to spend 'time out' from one another.
I really wish i read this site b4 i even got Axel the people at the pet shop just said its like a gold fish water changes once a week and he will be fine nothing about low water temps ect ect. I feel like a bad mumma lol..
Most Pet shops are famous for giving woeful advice, don't feel badly about this - it happens to everyone.
what things would i need to test the water ect. Thank you so much.
The best test kits are the test tube kits. Don't buy dip strip test kits as they are not reliable and you really need your test kits to be giving you accurate information on the water quality as this is most important to an axolotl's health and happiness.
The most important test kit is for Ammonia. Axolotls release a lot of waste and the ammonia test kit will help ascertain if there are any water quality issues in the tank.
The next important test kits are for Nitrite and pH.
Ammonia and Nitrite should always read as '0'. Anything higher than zero is dangerously toxic to the axolotls.
Axolotls enjoy a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5 - they are not very fussy.
If you are very keen, Nitrate test kit is very helpful particuarly when cycling a tank.
Cycling in a nutshell is the establishment of beneficial bacteria in the aquarium that break wastes down to a non toxic form.
On cycling:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml
Oh there is also a filter i dont know what type but it splashes water back into the tank from the top its not to noisey. They both seem to like surfing in the bubbles it makes so i hope thats a good thing.
A happy healthy axolotl spends much of it's time doing as little as possible.
Axolotls also prefer still water. Water current stresses them. If they 'surfing' on a current of water this is not a sign of happiness - they are most likely stressed.
I would place an obstruction in front of the waterfall from the filter - such as a rock, or plants, anything to break the current so as not to stress the axolotls.
Sorry if I've bombarded you. Please if you have any queries on anything I've said above - fire away! Unlike our dear axies, we don't bite
Axolotl Enthusiast