Care Guide

Tank Set up/Cycling your tank

The first step to cycling a tank is to add the sand, hideouts, and plants and fill with clean water conditioned with Seachem Prime water Conditioner.

Once filled with conditioned water, add the filter and begin running it.

Now add Seachem Stability according to the size of the tank and corresponding measurements on the Stability bottle. (1 capful for every 10 gallons, daily)

Congratulations! The tank is now cycling.

After 5-7 days of adding the stability, test the water following the directions in the Freshwater Master Test Kit (The tested water will change color indicating the parameters of what you are testing.)

The correct parameters for the water in an axolotl tank are:

pH= 6.8-7.6 PPM

Nitrite= 0.0 PPM

Ammonia= 0.0 PPM

Nitrate= 5.0-20 PPM

If the water tests within these parameters, the cycling process is complete. If the water tests outside of these parameters, more cycling time may be required.

Depending on the area you live in and the water you have access to, cycling processes may be more difficult. If five weeks of cycling have passed and the water continues to test outside of the correct parameters, please contact me for a more personalized water cycling process.

Please remember that until the cycling process is complete and the test results show proper parameters, it is not safe to place an axolotl into the tank.

Once the axolotl is placed in its new home, a 25% water change should be done weekly to prevent the parameters from being thrown out of balance and to keep tank water looking clean. This can be done by removing 25% of the tanks water and replacing with clean water conditioned with Seachem Prime water conditioner.

What you'll need

20 gallon cycled tank minimum for 1 Axolotl. 10 gallons added for every additional axolotl at a minimum.
1 hide out per Axolotl.
Substrate is sand or bare bottom. (NO Pebbles, rocks, or gravel) (No sand until the axolotl is 5+ inches)
No direct or consistent light.
Water temperature should be between 60F-68F.
Fresh Water Master Kit
Seachem Stability (Nitrifying bacteria/ammonia chloride)
Seachem Prime (Water conditioner)
Sponge filter, canister filter, or hanging filter. Axolotls do not like strong flow, so be sure to adjust the flow to a weaker setting if possible. For axolotls, it is recommended to use a filter capable of filtering double the amount of water in the tank.
*Do not house opposite gendered axolotls together*

Food

Nightcrawlers (cut up if needed)

Red wigglers

Blackworms

Repashy Grub Pie

Treats:

Frozen bloodworms

Guppies

Mollies

Ghost shrimp

Cherry shrimp

Medication

Indian Almond Leaves- Used for cuts and minor fungal infections. (While tubbing the axolotl, add an IAL to the water and let soak until the next daily water change.)

Black Tea Bath- Used for minor to moderate fungal infections. (While tubbing the axolotl, prepare approximately 1 cup of pure black tea and let it cool. Once cool, add to axolotls water and let soak for 10-15 minutes. After soaking, remove axolotl and place in clean conditioned water.)

Methylene Blue- Used for major fungal infections. (While tubbing the axolotl, add one drop at a time (2-4 drops should be enough for most tub sizes) until the water is a very pale blue color. After soaking for 12 hours, remove axolotl and place in clean conditioned water.)

These treatments are used for the most common types of conditions axolotls will experience. For more in depth treatment options feel free to contact me and in the case of an emergency, contact a veterinarian.

Tubbing

Tubbing is used in the event that an axolotl suffers any cuts, scrapes, illnesses, or other health concerns. To tub an axolotl all you need is a small plastic tub or container large enough for the axolotl to fit and move comfortably in (approximately the size of a shoe box). After you have filled the tub with water, add Prime conditioner and place the axolotl into the tub. For the best results, replace the water in the tub at least once a day. It may take several days, or possibly even weeks, for the axolotl to recover enough to be returned to its tank.