Temporary Home For Axolotl While Tank Cycles?

[CrypticShinobi]

Hello guys, I want to save this little Axolotl from the pet store, if hes still there next time I go. Though I will not have enough time to properly cycle his tank (Seeing as I'll have to buy a new tank) I'm just wondering if he'll do fine in a little plastic tub with some sand, water and daily water changes while his/her tank is cycled..



Sorry if this is posted in the wrong category, I'm still new here.

 

[ShrimpShepherd]

If that's what you plan to do, why not just do that in your tank? There's really no difference besides the water becoming toxic at a faster and less stable way, which is actually more stressful for axolotls than having a bigger tank that you do water changes in. If you have doubt, just buy a **** ton of hornworts or java moss, and toss them in the tank.

 

[Tye]

You can do in tank cycling, you just have to be really on top of water changes and testing. Especially if it's a small axolotl. During the spikes expect to maybe even do two water changes a day. I've had nitrites spike above 5ppm before. While older, larger, axolotls might take a spike better, small ones might not.
Using Prime during cycling will help make the nitrites less toxic, but it can throw false results on your ammonia liquid test, depending on the type of test you use.
In tank cycling will also take a bit longer because of all the water changes you'll be doing. Expect it to take over a month. Just carefully monitor your water parameters and temperature. I did in tank cycling with feeder fish and it took about a month and half to cycle my 20 gallon long tank. I also used some bottled bacteria, Stability, but I'm not sure if it helped or not. Adding some live plants will definitely help and they can help manage your nitrate levels when your tank is established.