cody116
New member
Hey guys,
Long story short: I'm a brand new owner of a 1 year old (or so) leucistic axolotl and I have been loving him so far, when I'm not worried about him..
Longer version: I had only been looking into an axolotl for a short time before a great deal came my way, and I bought somebody's entire setup and brought him home. Now, the tank was empty and I had to add fresh water myself and had to introduce my axie into it shortly after. It was only shortly after I learned about the two week water cycling process i SHOULD have gone through before I got him..
I am using the filter that was in the tank from the old owner, but I don't think much of the bacteria is present anymore. I have been doing water changes, and here are my current readings (liquid test):
PH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0-0.25 (changed when it nears 0.5)
Nitrates: 0
Nitrares: 0
Temp: 68ish
From what I've read, Nitrates should be between 20-40ppm. Is this only achieved through cycling?
He does seem to be doing pretty well. No real signs of stress. But I worry these water conditions will affect him.
He has been floating near the top, but seems to be capable of walking around the bottom easily. The bottom is bare as the old owner said he was running along the bottom with his mouth open eating the sand when they had black substrate and they had to fridge him. He's been in a bare bottom tank ever since..
He's eating earthworms, but doesn't seem to be pooping at all..
Am I just a new owner worrying too much, or is there something I'm missing?
Thanks for all the help!!
ps: here is Axl!
Long story short: I'm a brand new owner of a 1 year old (or so) leucistic axolotl and I have been loving him so far, when I'm not worried about him..
Longer version: I had only been looking into an axolotl for a short time before a great deal came my way, and I bought somebody's entire setup and brought him home. Now, the tank was empty and I had to add fresh water myself and had to introduce my axie into it shortly after. It was only shortly after I learned about the two week water cycling process i SHOULD have gone through before I got him..
I am using the filter that was in the tank from the old owner, but I don't think much of the bacteria is present anymore. I have been doing water changes, and here are my current readings (liquid test):
PH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0-0.25 (changed when it nears 0.5)
Nitrates: 0
Nitrares: 0
Temp: 68ish
From what I've read, Nitrates should be between 20-40ppm. Is this only achieved through cycling?
He does seem to be doing pretty well. No real signs of stress. But I worry these water conditions will affect him.
He has been floating near the top, but seems to be capable of walking around the bottom easily. The bottom is bare as the old owner said he was running along the bottom with his mouth open eating the sand when they had black substrate and they had to fridge him. He's been in a bare bottom tank ever since..
He's eating earthworms, but doesn't seem to be pooping at all..
Am I just a new owner worrying too much, or is there something I'm missing?
Thanks for all the help!!
ps: here is Axl!
