Axolotl Aquarium Maintenance & Keeping a Stable Cycle
Dec 30, 2023
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Your Comprehensive Guide to Axolotl Tank Maintenance
Axolotls are unique and fascinating aquatic amphibians that require specific care to thrive in captivity. Maintaining their tank requires regular cleaning, filter cleaning or changes, and monitoring of water parameters to ensure their health and well-being, and extra care must be taken not to introduce harmful chemicals into their environment, and to prevent crashing of your precious nitrogen cycle! This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential steps to keep your axolotl tank pristine and your pets healthy.
What you'll need:
General Rules
Anything you use for, on, or in your tank should never be used for anything else.
Filters, media, and items in your tank should stay wet 100% of the time to prevent cycle crash.
When we say "rinse" we don't mean with tap water - when cleaning your tank, use the bucket filled with old tank water to rinse any items you need to clean. If necessary, you can use a toothbrush or scrubber that is used exclusively for your tank.
Make sure your axolotl is either tubbed, or in a safe place you can see them 100% of the time. Accidentally crushing them with decor or, forbid, sucking them or part of them into your siphon, needs to be avoided at all costs.
Water Testing
For a fully comprehensive guide to safe water parameters and water testing, see our Tank Cycling Guide.
Water changes should be done routinely once a week, about 20% - 30% of the water depending on your water parameters once tested.
Once your nitrates reach between 10-20 PPM, it's time to change your water!
If they've accidentally reached 40 PPM, do a 50% water change.
If they've accidentally reached 80 PPM, do a 75% water change.
Try to avoid a 100% water change unless your cycle has completely crashed, your axolotl has a severe contagious illness, or another extreme circumstance.
Other than water changes, avoid "chasing" your levels with PH-changing or ammonia/nitrite reducing chemicals other than what you normally use to cycle a tank. This can cause a never-ending cycle you constantly have to keep up with, and you want your tank properly cycled so this isn't necessary.
Aquarium Cleaning & Water Changes
We typically like to do water changes, aquarium cleaning, and substrate stirring (if using sand) at the same time. Less water in the tank makes it easier to reach items, and the buckets of used aquarium water give the perfect opportunity for "rinsing" your filter sponges, cartridges, and media, and any items in the tank that need a clean.
Unplug any filters that require a minimum water level for operation. Remove any cartridges and media and place them in the bucket to keep them wet, and so they can be rinsed in the water you remove.
Place your buckets on the floor close to your aquarium. Once your siphon output is inside or clipped onto your bucket, you can start to siphon out water into your buckets. Remove what's appropriate for your water parameters. Use these buckets to rinse anything in the tank you need to clean.
Use this time to use your turkey baster for remaining waste by spot cleaning, and gently stir your substrate (if using sand) to prevent harmful air pockets from forming. Use your algae scraper on the walls of the tank if necessary, and the net to catch any large debris floating at the top. Check your tank for decaying/dying plants that will spike your ammonia, and anything unsafe for your axolotl.
Put your filters, media, and other items back where they go. Discard the water either in the toilet, or outdoors if you prefer.
Fill your buckets with new water. Cool to appropriate temperature - use 2 liter bottles filled with frozen, conditioned water if necessary. Treat water with conditioner BEFORE adding it into the tank. Any chlorine present in new water can kill your beneficial bacteria and crash your cycle, and/or harm your axolotl if they're in the tank.
To prevent extreme displacement of substrate and/or uprooting of plants, you can use the siphon to put the new water into the tank (your bucket will need to be higher than your aquarium) or pour gently onto the top of a hide or item in the aquarium. Avoid doing this near your axolotl if they're in the tank. Alternatively, you can use a smaller container to transfer water from the bucket of new water to the tank.
Keep an eye on your temperature and always retest your water after replacing. Make sure filters, air stones, and any other items are all operational. Should water parameters become unsafe at any time, tub your axolotl immediately.
Changing Filter Cartridges or Sponges
Filter sponges and cartridges should never be just discarded and replaced with a new one. If rinsing in aquarium water is not sufficient and it's time for a change, run your new sponges or cartridges next to the old ones for a couple of weeks. This allows the new filters to collect beneficial bacteria.
If using a hang on back filter, put the old cartridges in the back so the water runs through them first. Place the new filters in the front, near the output. For sponges, run the new sponge next to the old one in close proximity.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your axolotl tank is a clean and healthy environment for your pets. Regular maintenance will help prevent health problems, extend the life of your axolotls, and provide them with the optimal conditions for their well-being.
If you ever need help or have questions, always feel free to reach out to us here. We're here to help.
Please note that products here are recommended by us, tried and true - but are not sold by us. You are welcome to do some research into alternative options for products - just make sure they're axolotl safe! Aquarium/fish safe does NOT = axolotl safe. We do, however, receive a small commission if you use the links above to make your purchase. As an amazon affiliate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
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