No Filter - advice for newbie.

[laursmustdie]

The more I read the more confused I get so I would really appreciate advice on the following.

Kasper is approx 6 months old, leucistic, I have him in a 2ft tank with approx 16lt treated/aged water (about 6 inches)

I can't seem to find any information on keeping axies without using a filter..any advice? % change per day, when to take him out & clean whole tank, when I clean whole tank do I do a 100% water change?

How do I catch him to clean the whole tank..is a net safe?

Tank is a bit bare at the mo but I'm looking to spruce it up..should I just use sand or was thinking of textured tiles or slates for ease of cleaning.

 

[Kaysie]

You can keep an axolotl with no filter.

I only use a sponge filter in mine. I have a 13cm (5inch) male in a 113l (30 gallon) tank. Is there any reason you're using so little water? Having more water buffers you against water quality issues, which you'll surely have with only 16l (4 gallons!) of water.

If your tank is full of water, and fully cycled, you only need to change 20% of the water every week. You don't need to take him out, and you never need to do a 100% water change, or 'clean' the whole tank. You'll just need to remove poop as needed, and vacuum the substrate when you do the water changes.

 

[laursmustdie]

Thanks for replying.

On here it says as long as the water covers them completely it doesn't matter how much is in tank. I have 6lt of aged water I can add now so I'll go do that now.

What about sand or tiles?

 

[Shizeric]

Both sand and tile are good options.

 

[Kaysie]

Add a bunch of water. Your little guy will definitely benefit from it. I have my tank filled about 2 inches from the top (just in case he makes a jump for it). And since there's all this new-found space, why not add a couple of plants (cheap tip: I use silk plants from the dollar store!) so he has something to climb on!

Sand and tiles both make great substrates. With sand, you have to be sure you rinse rinse rinse or your water will be cloudy when you add it. Other tiles should be washed well, and use tiles that you are sure won't leach any harmful chemicals into the water. With slate tiles, you have to make sure there are no sharp edges. Some other members have used sand to fill in the gaps between the tiles. This helps prevent food and waste from getting trapped under them. If you don't do that, I'd recommend picking up the tiles (just on edge or something) and cleaning under them every time you do a water change.

If in the future you do need to remove him, a net is fine. You can also use a cup or a pitcher, but sometimes this involves a game of 'chase the axolotl'.

 

[laursmustdie]

I went & got 6 silk plants & play sand..I've washed the plants & I'm rinsing the sand through just now.
I have 9lts of water which will be ready later tonight so I'll add that then.

Do you have any tips on the best way to get the sand in the tank?

Thanks again for all your advice..it's much appreciated.

 

[Shizeric]

If your tank is bare now...just take everything out and add the sand..let it settle then put everything back in.

 

[laursmustdie]

Everything including axie?

 

[Shizeric]

I would. It's a short little process, so just find a temporary tub or bucket.

 

[kirsty]

I keep my Axies with no filter, I just do between a 20-50% water change each week and hoover over the sand on the bottom of the tank, I also try to get in there quick when a poop arrives but sometimes im too late and they have trodden on it so its gone everywhere so it harder to remove but def helps keep the water nice and clean

I started with a bare bottom tank (because the first lot of sand i bought was impossible to clean properly) and when I added the second lot of sand my Axies were a bit scared of it and hid in their hides but within the hour they came out exploring and now i love when I look in their tank and see the little footprints and patterns in the sand they leave behind them so cute

Enjoy your newly decorated tank and your little Axie

 

[laursmustdie]

Thank you all for the advice.

Kasper now has sand, plants & 32lts with more to be added this evening.

I've been doing a daily 20% water change..is this ok? Last question (for now!), I have a pH testing kit, do I need to get one that's tests a wider range ie ammonia etc, if so any recommendations on what brand/type is best?

 

[Shizeric]

API has the best testing kit from what I've heard. And your water changes are fine...the usual problem with large water changes is disrupting an established cycle...but with no filter that's not something you will have to worry about.