QUESTION! New Owner New Tank!

[gennayfairy]

I started the cycling of the baby axi's tank about two weeks ago. The ammonia is high and I just did a 70% water change to bring it to between .5ppm. Is that ok to put the new baby in or should I find somewhere else for him for now? I wasnt planning to get him this early but a friend got me one as a gift so no wI am trying to be sure his home is ready.

Will he most likely be ok in the tank as long as I monitor the ammonia like a hawk and do 50-80% water changes you think as needed while the ammonia settles?

 

[AxolotlMorty]

I started the cycling of the baby axi's tank about two weeks ago. The ammonia is high and I just did a 70% water change to bring it to between .5ppm. Is that ok to put the new baby in or should I find somewhere else for him for now? I wasnt planning to get him this early but a friend got me one as a gift so no wI am trying to be sure his home is ready.

Will he most likely be ok in the tank as long as I monitor the ammonia like a hawk and do 50-80% water changes you think as needed while the ammonia settles?

I wouldn't put him into the tank with any ammonia in it, wouldn't risk it. The Ammonia should be at zero, and stay at zero.

The future problem you're going to have without your tank having done a full cycle, is that once you do put your little guy in (even if the Ammonia is at 0) the Ammonia will grow rapidly, cause there's no beneficial bacteria in the tank to eat up the waste he's pooping out that's becoming ammonia.

What I would do, since you got the axolotl earlier than you planned and time is probably of the essence. Is I'd go out and get a product that has beneficial bacteria in a bottle. From what I've read, they don't work as well as if you grow beneficial bacteria naturally.....but at least you'll have something in the tank to help break down that waste. Try Nutrafin CYCLE or Tetra SAFE START. From what I've researched, those are the better options.

Make sure you follow the instructions on whatever bottle you buy, and that'll give him a place to live till you can get a tank that you can cycle naturally and grow actual beneficial bacteria in.

Good Luck.

 

[Acacia]

Where is the axolotl currently? If they're in a smaller uncycled container, it'll be better to move them to the tank, as it will at least be larger so ammonia builds up slower. However, if the container the axolotl is in right now is larger or is cycled, then don't move them.

I personally haven't used any bottled bacteria, but one that is often recommended on fish forums is Tetra SafeStart Plus- not regular SafeStart, but the Plus version. If you must add the axolotl in now for lack of a better option, using Tetra SafeStart Plus may help speed the cycle along.

 

[Hayleyy]

Until the tank is cycled I would keep your axie in a smaller one and change water every day. How big is your axolotl?
Your tank has been cycling for 2 weeks, what stage is it at? Post your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels so we can help. Also test your pH because this can affect how dangerous the ammonia will be to your axolotl (really high pH can make ammonia more toxic).
Bottled bacteria is worth a try, also if you know someone with a healthy cycled tank you could ask to borrow a decoration or filter media because that will bring in some bacteria.

 

[Ax A Little]

If you have a freshwater fish tank or can find someone local with one, you can add the gunk from that filter to your new filter (you actually cycle the filter rather than the tank). Then do a complete water change and you'll be good to go.