Looking into becoming an owner, questions about tank set up etc.

[AngelMR2]

Hi, (sorry this will be long)

I have been a fan of the axolotls for a few years now, but at the time I had a 55 gallon saltwater tropical tank. I had only ever had freshwater aquariums prior.

The tank ended up failing, and all the fish died (I still have one but he's been doing good in fresh water for a few years).

Did not clean the tank or anything - the year they died we ended up moving then moved subsequently two more times and the tank stayed in storage. Seeing as we just bought a house last year, I've been getting the itch for something new in my aquarium.

The state of my aquarium is bad: it has salt creep all over it, and all over most of the accessories. In tank items I will most likely throw away because I worry about transmitting unwanted things. Obviously the tank I want to salvage. The filters I want to salvage, but not for the axolotl tank (I have some smaller ones I may use them on in the future if I want a fish or something).

What methods have you guys found to remove salt creep to re-establish a tank for different animals? I read online that CLR works, but also that vinegar works but takes longer (but is much more cost effective). I am also curious if this will work on the stand, as I think some creep went on there and I'd like to clean it off for appearances.

How many axolotls could I keep in a 55 gallon tank? I figured 4 or 5 would be okay. I do not want too many to limit my ability to care for them.

Should I buy a few first then add later? Or should I buy 4 or 5 and have them all be exactly the same age? I read about younger cannibalism, etc.

Is there a good resource to tell me the names of the different species (colors) of them to know what to order?

I do not want eggs and breeding, should I try to get all the same gender? If so, does one gender get along better than another? I know certain animals you can have like one male and many females, or all females, but not multiple males.

I would like to buy a canister filter as I read they are better for this type of animal than the other variety. Does anyone have a recomendation for a filter like this for a 55? I have never used a canister filter before, but want to set the tank up correctly the first time. I've also been trying to figure out whats on the other end of the tubes that go in the tank.

Are live plants better to have?


I'm sure I'll have more questions. I just like to be super sure that an animal is right for me before I get it so that I can be right for them, too.

 

[sully]

about salvaging the tank i am not the one to help you there but the not so written rule for housing axies is one foot of tank per axie and one foot for decorations. so if your tank is 5 feet long you could comfortably house 4 axolotls plus decorations. make sense? and live plants look beautiful but because axolotls dont have eye lids plants that require alot of light are a no go. so things that are good would be any low light plant. (anubias, moss balls, java moss..ect) the colourings can come in regular or gfp which means they glow under a black or blue light.here is an article with all the colour morphs Axolotls - Genetics and Colour and also they reach sexual maturity at about a yeah which is when you can tell the sex so a full grown would be your best option so there arent any supprise eggs. by a year they are over the cannibalistic stage so you wouldnt have to worry about them nibbling on each others limbs hopefully this helps a little and one of the more senior form members will fill you in on what i have missed! good luck with your research. you will fall in love with them more and more every day