New owner...new tank - paranoia and cycling! HELP!

[vmadorin]

Hello all!

I admittedly knew little to nothing about tank cycling and parameters. Set up a 20 gal long with a few live plants, etc. about four days prior to bringing my axe home. Added Primed and Stability at recommended doses, as well as a filter from another established healthy fishtanks. Added her to the tank a week ago tomorrow. She acclimated well - some gill turning. Through my copious research and worry over her, I got a master testing kit.

Parameters today:
Ammonia: 0.25-0.50 ppm
Nitrite: ~2.0 ppm (maybe...? it's hard to read)
Nitrate: 10 ppm

Someone in another online group recommended I remove her from the tank and tub her until the cycle looks complete, so I have done that but I need advice...where do I go from here? I know I should see 0 for ammonia and nitrite...? Can someone just coach me? I care for her deeply and want to make sure I keep her safe.

 

[minorhero]

I'm no help for the critter. But for the tank I would go to your local fish store and buy a bottled bacteria product. Tetra Safestart is widely available. I would then dump the entire bottle into the tank. This will help your cycle. Not solve it, but it will help.

 

[vmadorin]

I'm no help for the critter. But for the tank I would go to your local fish store and buy a bottled bacteria product. Tetra Safestart is widely available. I would then dump the entire bottle into the tank. This will help your cycle. Not solve it, but it will help.

and this is def safe for her? She will be tubbed until the parameters are right ... just want to make sure

 

[minorhero]

and this is def safe for her? She will be tubbed until the parameters are right ... just want to make sure

I have no experience with axolotls (my experience is with freshwater aquariums) so I can't help with her in the tub. Getting the bottled bacteria is the quickest way you currently have to getting the tank cycled. Hopefully someone else will be able to help with how to care for your critter while she is tubbed.

 

[Napalm]

Research as much as you can about cycling. There are a few methods (fishless, fish in, with bacterial starters) and see what is better for you. I dont have my axolotl yet as I am also in the slow process of cycling.

From the info you share, the parameters of your water can hurt your little guy. Be patient and just keep tubbing it until your tank is cycled and can handle its bio load.

Best of luck!

 

[DragoTheAxie]

It will be safe to tub her until the tank is done cycling, just make sure to do 100% water changes daily and use dechlorinated water. I am also in the process of cycling one of my tanks and have had my axolotl tubbed for about two months without any negative effects.