New owner looking for some axolotl guidance:)

pixxie

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Hi there,
I just recently got 2 axolotls about 1 year old. They needed to be rehomed quickly so after a week of treating my tank with chemical bacteria and putting a tree from an established tank my levels read- 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5-10 nitrate and PH between 7.4-7.6. My temp sits at about a 65-66. The tank is a 75 gallon, with a AquaClear filter.So it seemed like everything was good to go.
I introduced my axolotls to the tank, they both have been acting totally normal, no signs of stress. They both are new to feeding on night crawlers (had pellets from other owners), so I have been giving them the opportunity to eat every other day. They eat about 1/2-1 of a worm.

For the past, 3 days levels have been at- 0 to 0.5 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate. I started doing 20%-30% water changes, dechlorinating it with conditioner before putting it in. On the second day of water change, I had a nitrite spike but it went back to 0 in a couple hours. I had about 4 pieces of driftwood and live plants that developed a white/clear fuzz on it. I was worried that it could be contributing so I removed them. I currently have mainly plastic plants, a wall of live ones and some floaters.

Today I have not done a water change. Test reads the same as the past couple days. I am having a hard time with the API liquid test kit to read if the ammonia is 0.25 or 0.5.

My tap water levels are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate, 7.4-7.6 PH.

I have been doing a lot of research and there are many different answers. I mainly just want to know if I need to tub the axolotls, if my tank is actually cycled or not, if I should introduce primer or if it will possible make it worse. Just worried!!
 
No put the wood back in that's normal fuzz on new wood will go away on its own. Get decorations or anything from established tank or filter media and put into tank asap. Good bacteria live on surfaces so established tank stuff will jump start your cycle
 
No put the wood back in that's normal fuzz on new wood will go away on its own. Get decorations or anything from established tank or filter media and put into tank asap. Good bacteria live on surfaces so established tank stuff will jump start your cycle
Okay. I am going to tub the axolotls for now. Take gravol from another tank and put it in to cycle, along with the shrimp method.
 
I replied to your swollen but problem. That looks to need fridging to help poo.
 
What are you using on whatever tank your getting the gravel from
It’s not my tank, something else’s. I’m not sure what they use, but I’m not able to get any filter media
 
Even if they can take one filter piece out or let you borrow decoration until cycle starts anything... you can buy cycled bubble filter online. They are not that expensive.
 
Even if they can take one filter piece out or let you borrow decoration until cycle starts anything... you can buy cycled bubble filter online. They are not that expensive.
I didn’t know you could buy one, I am going to look into that. I really appreciate all the suggestions. You think I should take them out with the 0.25 reading and while I introduce new cycling stuff?
 
I would just do like 50% water changes every day until get cycled filter. You can find one pretty cheap.
 
If you can water change and keep them in bigger perm. Home there's no reason to tub or fridge and stress them out.
 
If you can water change and keep them in bigger perm. Home there's no reason to tub or fridge and stress them out.
By bigger perm home, you mean their tank I’m trying to cycle now?
 
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  • Shane douglas:
    with axolotls would I basically have to keep buying and buying new axolotls to prevent inbred breeding which costs a lot of money??
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  • Thorninmyside:
    Not necessarily but if you’re wanting to continue to grow your breeding capacity then yes. Breeding axolotls isn’t a cheap hobby nor is it a get rich quick scheme. It costs a lot of money and time and deditcation
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  • stanleyc:
    @Thorninmyside, I Lauren chen
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