Peeling skin?

[wandering]

Just a thought. Prime removes ammonia, right? Disrupting the cycle by starving the ammonia dependent bacteria. Large doses of Prime would take out even more ammonia as it forms. Further starving the ammonia bacteria. Changing onto a normal dechlorinator will leave ammonia available but of course the bacteria have starved to death so you will get a spike.

I would also take the axolotls out (as the previous post) until I was confident that the cycle was running correctly.

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[steve611]

I put him in a seperate container Last night... but if Its a chemical Build Up like You said Should I Remove the Other Axie To? ALso Should I put the container in The fridge as room temperature can get to about 25 degrees?

 

[steve611]

Nevermind, I just saw the post from wandering. Im going to remove the other axie from the tank too. How can i help get the tank back to normal if its chemical build up/lack of ammonia bacteria?

 

[shazza]

Nevermind, I just saw the post from wandering. Im going to remove the other axie from the tank too. How can i help get the tank back to normal if its chemical build up/lack of ammonia bacteria?

If u have them in something that they can safely live in for a while, i would completely drain the tank light rinse the ornaments and filter no doubt the bacteria in the filter and on the ornaments isnt healthy anyway, and start over and then get urself in an established routine. Once the cycle is up n running reintroduce the axies.

 

[FX1C]

You aren't too far from me.

I have loads of extra media of all types just soaking in various established tanks that will help seed your tank if you reset it. I would reset it & give it a 100% scrub down & start fresh. What filter do you use?

Keep them both in clean water for a while to let them detox.

PM me if I can help in any way - I'll give you my mobile to make life easier



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[steve611]

The Axolotls are just in two separate containers but they don't have heaps of space. I have an unused empty 40 litre tank, should I put them in there until I can cycle their current tank?


The tank uses two filters at the moment. I've got a default sponge filter that came with the tank, and a tank maid filter pro 700. I haven't washed out the tank maid filter since the last time I replaced the media which was about a month ago. The other filter I rinsed lightly just last week but haven't replaced the media at all. The tank maid pro does enough on it's own, I might just remove the other filter from the tank all together, give the tank maid pro filter a rinse. scrub down the whole tank and replace the water?

 

[steve611]

Probably should also mention the peeling has stopped since they've been put into their containers. Curious to see what exactly went wrong with the water. I'll probably save a bucket full and test it on wednesday.

 

[FX1C]

Leaving them in a large tub $10 at bunnings / woolworths that can hold 20L or more keep changing it daily & don't forget to give the tub a good scrub every 2nd day.

Not sure about your filter but it you want some established media to seed it let me know. All my tanks run AquaClear hob filters with a basic sponge filter in tank as well instead of air stones.
I had to reset & scrub out my 4'ft tank last weekend including scrubbing tank & filter thoroughly under tap water.. I added my spare media & was incredibly surprised to see that the cycle seemed fine days later I was getting low nitrate readings & no ammonia or nitrite. A week later & still no sign of anything but low nitrates.. The tank has 9 juveniles in it so there is quite a bioload & seeding the filter worked well.



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[steve611]

Okay thanks heaps for the info.

Will your filter media fit into mine? I'm not too sure about that stuff but from what I can see My filter has a sponge, a small bag of charcoal and some cotton wool. What readings should the water show to demonstrate a fully cycled tank? Or the maximum ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and ph levels you should have for Axolotls?

 

[Kerry M]

Hi Steve,
I have been advised that the recommended parameters for an axolotl tank should be:
Ammonia: <0.25ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: <40ppm
PH: 6.5-8.0
If there are no nitrate readings a tank is not cycled. Adding plants to a tank and water changes assist in lowering nitrate levels.
You will be very pleased when you start testing your water. It will become something that you routinely do.
Glad to hear that your axies are going well in the tubs.
Good luck getting your tank organised.

 

[steve611]

Thanks very much. Just cleaned my filter and I just realised it wasnt running properly. Water Was barely dripping out. I fixed it by removing the cotton wool ball from within. The Date of the insertion of the cotton wool ball coincides with the begininng of the skin peels. My other filter isnt that powerful/high quality. Could the lack of filtration be a possible cause?

 

[xxianxx]

Well then I'd better make a post...

My axolotls have NEVER shed.. EVER!
I keep my water parameters healthy with regular testing & water changes.
What am I NOT doing right???

Sorry but just because an axolotl can shed it's skin does not mean it should or is meant to!! My skin will shed too when I get sunburned badly but I wouldn't consider it normal or a good thing!!

I was correcting a factual error in your post , axolotls shed ..... end of story.

 

[FX1C]

I was correcting a factual error in your post , axolotls shed ..... end of story.

End of story... Really??
That's very confident & I must say quite arrogant!

I would like you to show me where healthy axolotls shed their skin.
Not using these forums as the majority of posts are not healthy axolotls.

Just because they can shed does not mean they should shed!

I see you post a quick one liner that something is "normal" or "ok" & to be honest I think you are giving bad support & making people feel like whatever they are doing is ok because it's "normal" when what they need is a kick in the bum & reality check that bad water quality = bad health - a very simple equation.

I am yet to see a healthy axolotl shed and my vet friend said although she wasn't an exotics vet that she would think it a bad sign if shedding occurred.



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[Tephra]

My axolotls have never shed either. They are all in perfect health and so is their tank water. I don't see what the problem is here.

If you're truly worried about your axolotl... I'm not sure what your tank setup is, but adding some driftwood (after pre-soaking it of course) is always a good thing. It releases tannins into the water, which makes it somewhat brownish in color, but is a great boost for their skin and slime coat.

It's sort of like giving them a permanent (though less strong) tea bath I suppose.

 

[FX1C]

Thanks very much. Just cleaned my filter and I just realised it wasnt running properly. Water Was barely dripping out. I fixed it by removing the cotton wool ball from within. The Date of the insertion of the cotton wool ball coincides with the begininng of the skin peels. My other filter isnt that powerful/high quality. Could the lack of filtration be a possible cause?

If the dates coincide - that's a no brainer! why hadn't you cleaned the filter in all that time? Filters need to be rinsed regularly in the water removed from tank during water changes. Impellers need to be cleaned & checked regularly as well as keeping an eye on filter output to confirm its running.

Please post a pic of the tank and the filter units. I have media of all shapes & sizes including sponges that can be cut to size to place inside your filter, or you can tie a bag of seeded media next to your filters inlet so it helps to seed the filter.

I'm glad their health has appeared to improve while they've been in detox.

 

[FX1C]

Okay thanks heaps for the info.

Will your filter media fit into mine? I'm not too sure about that stuff but from what I can see My filter has a sponge, a small bag of charcoal and some cotton wool. What readings should the water show to demonstrate a fully cycled tank? Or the maximum ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and ph levels you should have for Axolotls?

Charcoal needs to be changed regularly (every month - max 2 months) as it leeches back toxins after that time & may have contributed to skin issues. Perhaps you can replace the charcoal with some biomedia that will hold the good bacteria needed. There are ways to reconfigure the internals. If the filter is using the very fine white cotton wool it may work better using the white fibre filter product instead.

Post a pic of the filter - that will help

 

[xxianxx]

End of story... Really??
That's very confident & I must say quite arrogant!

I would like you to show me where healthy axolotls shed their skin.
Not using these forums as the majority of posts are not healthy axolotls.

Just because they can shed does not mean they should shed!

I see you post a quick one liner that something is "normal" or "ok" & to be honest I think you are giving bad support & making people feel like whatever they are doing is ok because it's "normal" when what they need is a kick in the bum & reality check that bad water quality = bad health - a very simple equation.

I am yet to see a healthy axolotl shed and my vet friend said although she wasn't an exotics vet that she would think it a bad sign if shedding occurred.



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I am "arrogant" because I have the nerve to pull you up on a factual error ? If you choose to spread misinformation about axolotls in this forum expect to be pulled up on it. Shedding is a well documented behavior in axolotls, the link I gave you is just one of many threads in this forum about it, it is also mentioned in a number of scientific studies. I suggest you and your friend who is not an exotics vet do some research.
Shedding is actually "normal" and "ok" for axolotls, if you actually take the time to read all of my posts in this thread you will see that I was merely correcting your lack of knowledge and I specifically stated that this particular shed was probably not normal.
"They shed..... wether or not this is a natural shed or one caused by poor water quality is a different issue."
and
"axolotls do shed, wether this particular shed is normal or not is up for debate. I would say that an axolotl shedding noticeably for a couple of days is not normal."

 

[FX1C]

I am "arrogant" because I have the nerve to pull you up on a factual error ? If you choose to spread misinformation about axolotls in this forum expect to be pulled up on it. Shedding is a well documented behavior in axolotls, the link I gave you is just one of many threads in this forum about it, it is also mentioned in a number of scientific studies. I suggest you and your friend who is not an exotics vet do some research.
Shedding is actually "normal" and "ok" for axolotls, if you actually take the time to read all of my posts in this thread you will see that I was merely correcting your lack of knowledge and I specifically stated that this particular shed was probably not normal.
"They shed..... wether or not this is a natural shed or one caused by poor water quality is a different issue."
and
"axolotls do shed, wether this particular shed is normal or not is up for debate. I would say that an axolotl shedding noticeably for a couple of days is not normal."

Could you post links to the scientific research / studies that state healthy axolotls shed their skin.

The link you posted proved nothing at all... I have searched the forums & spent hours reading posts on here about... tortured water conditions / high temperatures / out of tank experiences / stressful moves / newly acquired animals from pet shops. These are all stressed animals dealing with toxic situations. I am yet to find a single post that refers to a healthy axolotl shedding its skin... So please post something to enlighten me as to how "normal" it is.

It is arrogant to make a statement that shedding skin is "normal" as it gives false hope to the person posting the question / problem & it is not helpful when the obvious problem causing the shedding issue is going to end up being water quality / temp etc.

It is not "normal" for healthy axolotls to shed - I will stand by my belief that a healthy axolotl kept in clean cool healthy water should never shed its skin..

Input and opinions from any of the specialist vets on these forums or anyone who has ever experienced healthy axolotls shedding would be much appreciated





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[xxianxx]

Could you post links to the scientific research / studies that state healthy axolotls shed their skin.

The link you posted proved nothing at all... I have searched the forums & spent hours reading posts on here about... tortured water conditions / high temperatures / out of tank experiences / stressful moves / newly acquired animals from pet shops. These are all stressed animals dealing with toxic situations. I am yet to find a single post that refers to a healthy axolotl shedding its skin... So please post something to enlighten me as to how "normal" it is.

It is arrogant to make a statement that shedding skin is "normal" as it gives false hope to the person posting the question / problem & it is not helpful when the obvious problem causing the shedding issue is going to end up being water quality / temp etc.

It is not "normal" for healthy axolotls to shed - I will stand by my belief that a healthy axolotl kept in clean cool healthy water should never shed its skin..

Input and opinions from any of the specialist vets on these forums or anyone who has ever experienced healthy axolotls shedding would be much appreciated





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The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians - Kentwood D. Wells - Google Books "All amphibians periodically shed the outer layer of the epidermis......"
I do not understand why you are continuing to labour this point, many aspects of axolotl husbandry, behavior etc are open to debate, this is a matter of simple biology which has been reported in numerous articles and journals. You have even asked this question in caudata chat to Ed Moyer, he confirmed that they shed though far less than many other species of amphibians. In this thread I merely corrected you when you stated that axolotls do not shed, you are wrong , that is not arrogance but mere fact.

 

[FX1C]

The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians - Kentwood D. Wells - Google Books "All amphibians periodically shed the outer layer of the epidermis......"
I do not understand why you are continuing to labour this point, many aspects of axolotl husbandry, behavior etc are open to debate, this is a matter of simple biology which has been reported in numerous articles and journals. You have even asked this question in caudata chat to Ed Moyer, he confirmed that they shed though far less than many other species of amphibians. In this thread I merely corrected you when you stated that axolotls do not shed, you are wrong , that is not arrogance but mere fact.

Ed did not confirm they shed at all!!
(Not sure which chat you were reading!)

He clearly stated that in 20yrs he had not seen it happen & that clean healthy water is all it takes to keep them healthy. It was a very brief chat but the answer was his axolotls do not shed.



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