New and wanting to know everything

[anya]

Hi all i have been wanting an Axolotl for quite some time now but before i do so i am wanting to learn all i need to know which i have been doing but also how to set up a tank and what to have in it and as i live in New Zealand where the weather is generally good ....summer 21C winter 6C was wondering if there is any need to get all that tank stuff like coolers, heaters and filters and all that kind of stuff?? also any getting started tips would be much appreciated

 

[keiran]

I'll say what everyone will say!

First look at this site http://www.axolotl.org/

 

[anya]

yea i already have but it didnt tell me if i would need a cooler system or a heater thinge just told me that a filter system isnt really needed.........and i just wana know if its worth going out and buyn them or not is all........and that any other advice would be much appreciated since i asume alot of people will know alot 1st hand and maybe able 2 offer other mayb better advice....

 

[casey]

Anya, welcome to the forum!

you will need to cycle your tank for at least a month before you put axolotls in there.

Read this http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml

If the water temperature doesn't go up above 21c you might be okay not to get a cooler - you may require a couple of fans if it goes over 21c, but if not you should be fine.

Your other best bet is to read through previous posts on the forum - you'll learn a lot this way.

Also, don't get gravel! Get sand, it's much better.

When you buy your axolotls make sure you get two females or two males - you don't want baby axies yet b/c apparently they take about 3 hours a day worth of maintenance and you need to know a lot about caring for axies before you start caring for baby axies.

Good luck!

 

[anya]

thanks for that much appreciated

 

[rebecca]

where are you in nz?
welcome im pretty new here but i have been lurking around for a bit longer
everyone is really helpfull and so much to learn!

im in wellington

 

[jordan]

How many axolotls are you planning on buying? What size tank do you have? Because the size of the tank determines how many axolotls you can have in there. Remember you want floo-space not depth when it comes to a tank because axolotls do fine in 6-12 inches of depth.

 

[anya]

hey rebecca im way down south in riversdale which is just out of gore lol yay gore

 

[apryl]

Hi Anya and Rebecca,good to see more kiwis on here!!Anya,good luck with getting your set up happening,I dont think you will need a cooler system if you keep the tank in a cool place,but you wont really know until summer comes and you see how the temp goes.Thats how Im doing it anyway.Also,South Island rivers have some awsome rocks,coloured and smooth,perfect for tanks(after washing)I have some from Motueka.No heater needed at all,axies like cold.
Rebecca,where do you shop for tank stuff?I'm in Johnsonville and our pet shop is really lame

 

[lindsay]

Hi Anya, I'm new here too!
From the info i've gathered i've found these tips most important;
- you should try and keep your tank at about 14 - 18 degrees celcius in your weather you should be fine without a cooler

- your pH should be about 7.4 to 7.6 but a bit lower or higher is fine
- your tank may take more than a month to cycle but when you put your new axie(s) in your readings should be Ammonia: 0, Nitrite: 0 and Nitrate; 0 - 20
- for one adult axie you should have a minimum tank size of about 2ft by 1ft

Sorry for the long post - i know how confusing this can all be so i hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[rebecca]

apryl, i shop at animates, they have a good range of stuff (or at least what i think is ok)
i got my rabbits from the jhonsonville one but its not as good as it used to be

 

[apryl]

Im planning to go to Animates this weekend,compare value.I agree,J'ville Animalz has gone to the pack,Im hoping they are selling out old stock to bring in new stuff.They do have some really cool Spongebob Squarepants tank ornaments,lol

 

[rebecca]

apryl, i love spongebob stuff i might go have a look for one for my goldfish tank,
last time i was at animalz the were selling off huge rat cages for cheap so my rats are in heaven now,animates can be quite expensive i went looking for testing kits (im recycling a tank after switching to sand) and couldnt afford all the different ones i needed

sucks being a broke student

 

[apryl]

Yeah,that was my problem too,the test kit I saw there was $69,more than I payed for my whole set up!!It did everything tho.Am setting up Boris's old tank for my sons goldfish,am getting him a spongebob for it,and maybe some jellyfish,they look cute! Sympathy for broke students,was there myself a couple of years ago,only had a dog then tho.