New to Axolotls...Tap Water Okay?

[Equus]

I am preparing for the arrival of my soon to be new little buddies. I've don't tons of research, and I think I am ready! I know how I want the tanks set up, how many I want, what the best floor & decorations would be, best food, water PH & temp etc.

One question remains a little fuzzy to me. I have well water, I have always used it for fish in the past & they did fine in it, but I am reading all kinds of opinions on what water to use for Axolotls. It seems my water would be fine, but some places say to filer water for 3-7 ays before bringing home the Axolotls, and other talk about doing 100% water changes every few days for small tanks.

So... What is right & what is safe?

Thanks!

 

[Kaini]

Well usually with well water you don't need dechlorinator, but some say to use it anyway because the water can still carry heavy metals that can be dangerous to the animal. It's really your choice - if you've used the water in your area with fish before it should be just fine.

But the fact you have well water has nothing to do with the frequency of water changes - that depends on if your tank is cycled or not, and you should definitely cycle your tank before getting your Axolotls.

 

[auntiejude]

If you've kept fish you should know about cycling a tank

100% changes are for unfiltered/cycled tubs. You need to change 20-40% weekly in a cycled tank to remove nitrates.

Well water isn't chlorinated, but you may have to add water hardeners. Have you ever had the well water checked for calcium or heavy metals?

 

[Equus]

Okay, I guess what it comes down to, is this: I bring my Axolotls home and they need to be kept separate. What do I do? Do I just ad the water they are in with my tap in bigger containers until they are big enough to live together? If that's the case I can just get my tank cycled while I have the,

 

[Kaini]

I'm not sure that post was finished, but in regards to keeping them apart, you could also make a tank divider so they can live in the big tank but not get to each other.

 

[Equus]

Oops, you're right! I was going to say: If that's the case I can just get my tank cycled while I have them in their separate containers while growing. I am also not understanding what to do when I 1st get them. Do I use normal tap water & do 100% water changes every 2 days until they are big enough? I would rather not do a tank divider.

 

[Kaini]

If your tank ISN'T cycled then yes I would keep them in separate containers with 100% water changes daily until the tank is properly cycled. But it's going to take them a while to grow, and the containers aren't a permanent solution. If it's a large tank, they SHOULD be okay together; as long as you keep them fed they shouldn't snap at each other if they have plenty of room.

About your water, do you know exactly what is in it? If in doubt, just declorinate it. As auntiejude said, your water could still have hardness issues and calcium or heavy metals.

 

[Equus]

If your tank ISN'T cycled then yes I would keep them in separate containers with 100% water changes daily until the tank is properly cycled. But it's going to take them a while to grow, and the containers aren't a permanent solution. If it's a large tank, they SHOULD be okay together; as long as you keep them fed they shouldn't snap at each other if they have plenty of room.

About your water, do you know exactly what is in it? If in doubt, just declorinate it. As auntiejude said, your water could still have hardness issues and calcium or heavy metals.

I can check what we have in our water, I know we tested it last yr. I have a 30 gallon & a 55 gallon. I think I am getting 4 Axolotls, so should I automatically put them all in the 55 gallon? I can get it all set before I bring them home, I have yet to purchase any, I am just talking with breeder, trying to find what I want.

Your help is very much appreciated!

 

[Kaini]

I can check what we have in our water, I know we tested it last yr. I have a 30 gallon & a 55 gallon. I think I am getting 4 Axolotls, so should I automatically put them all in the 55 gallon? I can get it all set before I bring them home, I have yet to purchase any, I am just talking with breeder, trying to find what I want.

Your help is very much appreciated!

Ah, yep checking out the water would be the thing to do! And ah I see, good to plan ahead!

There's some debate about the 'cannibalistic stage' and whether or not it's acceptable to keep juvenile Axolotls together (I've only ever kept a single Axolotl, so I'm not entirely sure on the rules here; hopefully someone else can weigh in!)

 

[layna]

How big are these axies? if they still little (less than 6") then they should be kept on no substrate at all(with the exception of slate), until they reach 6".
I personally would keep them in a tub, doing 100% daily water changes, with dechlorinator and tap water.
Then id set up your tank you want them in and do a fishless cycle in it.
They wont eat each other, axies are opportunistic feeders and if something moves past them, they automatically snap at it, in a large enough tub with some plants and a hide, this will be minimised.
They can go in the tank as soon as it is fully cycled, just dont put in any play sand until theyre bigger and absolutely never ever use gravel