Question: Is large water changes is stressful to axolotls?

[santa]

Some of the axolotl owners in My Country (Japan) change a 100% water every day. For larvae,they recommended that all of water must be changed twice a day .

They say.
"The large water changes is not stress of the axolotl. Because they are not fishes. My axolotls will grow up to 30cm in six months.They live for six-seven years."

Certainly,If all water is renewed every day, the change in the water quality might be few.

But,I cannot believe their words.
I think(and I read) a "total" water changes is stressful to axolotls.

What do you think?
Is it a good choice for axolotls?

 

[Shizeric]

Complete water changes that frequently are going to mess with your cycled tank. Clearing all of the water out like that so often is going to remove the ammonia and stuff that the biological filter needs to thrive. I would definitely say 100% water changes everyday is not a good idea.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

It is best to test your water chemistry first. High levels of ammonia, nitrates, or nitrites indicate water change time.

As Shiz said, frequent large water changes are detrimental to axolotls or any other aquatic pet. It is better to do small changes. Generally speaking, a 20 to 30% water change every four weeks is a good rule to follow. I suggest a weekly water test with a good liquid reagent based kit once a week.

 

[santa]

Re: Is large water changes stressful to axolotls?

Thank you for reply!

>"100% water changes everyday is not a good idea. "
I think so too.
I usually do a 20-30% water change every two weeks.
I test my tank every week.I think the water quality is safety.

But,I sometimes read the following descriptions in books/websits .
"Filtration is not essential for axolotls, provided you're willing to change the water regularly."
What meaning is 'regularly/frequentry' ?
I have not understood how many times it.
The above-mentioned Japanese interpreted by mistake as 'Every day'.
If it was the best selection, I was going to do so.

But,It is not the best selection, I never do it for my Axolotl.:smile:

Thank you so much!!

 

[Darkmaverick]

The frequency required for water changes depends on how many axies you have in the tank, the volume of water in the tank, if you have any filtration and if your tank is well cycled.

I agree with johnny on determing how frequently you should change the water. I think the best way is to test your water parameters once or twice weekly and then note down the trends in a notebook. You want to change the water frequently enough such that you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and less than 60 nitrates. Each water change should be 20-30 %.

Filtration is quite a necessity in my opinion. I find external canister filters help maintain the water chemistry so much better.

 

[Gavin Hunter]

Hi, I'm keeping my 25 axolotls in indivdual bowls.Twice a week, I do a 100% water change.My trick is using cycled water from my planted 90 gal tank! Gavin

 

[Shizeric]

You have 25 axolotls? Wowza! What size bowls do you keep them in?

 

[melfly]

Hiya do you check the water in your bowls? Is one hundred per cent twice a week enough? I have babies in tubs i have 27 plus 2 others in tubs my big three are in a big cycled tank. I tend to change their water every day at the least every two days. Mel

 

[Gavin Hunter]

I keep them in 1 gal bowls,half full.My temps are abouy 16 C therefore,I don't feed everyday.When,I see a poop.I change the water. The main tank(90gal) is the source of there water which they use and can be tested.Gavin

 

[Abrahm]

As long as you are housing your axolotls in a sufficiently large enclosure, are extremely consistent with your water changes and your water source does not experience significant changes then daily 100% water changes would be fine. It's a rather extreme form of aquarium maintenance, but functional. Instead of relying upon biological, chemical and mechanical filtration coupled with partial changes in water to remove metabolic end products before they reach toxic levels you instead rely upon a complete daily turnover of the water which doesn't allow the buildup of any toxic metabolites and removes the need to convert them to less toxic forms.

I would say that 1 gallon containers half filled are not really of sufficient size for full grown axolotls but would be suitable for smaller juveniles.

 

[Gavin Hunter]

I totally agree