Cycling a tank is very important and crucial to the health of your Axolotl. Cycling your tank can take anywhere from weeks to months so be patient. Waste from your new friend/friends eventually will cause Ammonia and Nitrites in your water. Ammonia and Nitrites are toxic. These can lead to ammonia burns/death. To prevent this, you must cycle a tank to build up beneficial bacteria that will convert these into Nitrates. Nitrates are healthy to have in your tank in small numbers (5-20ppm). We recommend doing a fish-less cycle using liquid ammonia.
DISCLAIMER: Do NOT try to cycle a tank with a live axolotl or fish inside of the tank. We do not recommend this because it poses a serious risk to the pet and/or death.
WHAT DO I NEED TO START CYCLING MY TANK!?
A tank with a filter, pure ammonia we recommend DR. TIM’S https://amzn.to/3rnMS8S , Prime water conditioner, a liquid water testing kit for ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. WE RECOMMEND USING API’S FRESHWATER KIT https://amzn.to/36KYICm. you may want to have a notebook to chart your readings. You can use Seachem stability OR FritzZyme 7 Live Nitrifying Bacteria TO KICKSTART YOUR CYCLE. You can also use used filter media from an established fish tank to help jumpstart the cycle. I occasionally do have seasoned Axolotl sponge filters for purchase that can help minimize the time it tanks to cycle your tank.
• Set up your tank with filter and everything you plan on having in there with your axolotl. Add Prime for the whole tank.
• You can add a small water heater, only needed to help with cycling. Warmer water helps bacteria grow. This is not necessary but does help speed up the process for some people! Once you are done cycling you will want to remove this as Axolotls like cooler water.
• Use the instructions on the ammonia bottle to measure out the ammonia to get it to 4ppm and let it mix inside the tank.
• Test the water and make a note of the ammonia levels. Keep adding ammonia, about 1 drop per gallon (you don’t want to add too much) until the ammonia in the tank measures 4 ppm. Keeping track of how much you added to get to 4ppm will be helpful in the days to come.
• Test your levels for everything and chart in your handy dandy notebook!
• REPEAT TESTING EVERY 24 HOURS AND ADD AMMONIA AS NEEDED TO TOP OFF TO 4PPM. You want Nitrites to spike to 5ppm. this can take some time. I have had it happen within days when I used established media, or weeks/months. Once this occurs you can decrease your ammonia to get you to 2ppm everyday. This helps prevent your PH from dropping rapidly during the cycling process.
• Keep an eye on how high nitrates get. I find it easier to drop nitrates in the end if they aren't over 80ppm while cycling.
• What you are looking for is a day when you test and the ammonia has gone from 4ppm to 0 in 24 hours, nitrite is undetectable, and nitrates are higher than 40ppm.
• *Now you’ll want to do the “3 dose test” to make sure your cycle can handle the ammonia when the axolotl is added. Dose ammonia to 4ppm and if after 24 hours, ammonia and nitrite are 0ppm, repeat for 2 more days. If after each dose 24 hours later ammonia and nitrites are 0ppm you are cycled!!!
MY TANK IS CYCLED NOW WHAT!? • Remove the heater if you were using one.
• DO water changes every 24 hours to drop the nitrate levels. I recommend doing 50% water changes depending on how high your nitrates are. Do the water changes until your nitrates read 5-20ppm. Once they are at that level, make sure the temperature is 60-67, acclimate your new friend to his new home’s temp for about 30 minutes, and drop him in!
• You will want to monitor your levels very closely for the next week testing every day. Make sure your ammonia stays at 0, nitrites stay at 0, and nitrates are 5-20ppm. Your ph should
be at least 6.8 for your Axolotl to be happy but they like it as high as 8, 7.2-7.6 being the perfect ranges for these guys. If you find your pH is on the lower end I recommend adding a mesh bag of crushed coral to your filter to help raise this. An air stone can sometimes help raise the ph as well. An air stone is great in general to add oxygen to your tank!
HELP ME I THINK MY CYCLE IS STALLED, WHAT DO I DO!?
1. Ammonia not dropping? Check PH. If the PH is too low ammonia won't convert properly. Baking soda is a great quick fix while cycling or adding a mesh bag of crushed coral can also help.
2. Ammonia and nitrites haven't dropped any in a few days? Try a small water change to drop nitrite a little.
3. Ph is between 7-8, ammonia and nitrites haven't moved and nitrates maxed? Do a 50% water change to help bring nitrates down to about 40ppm. This may take a few 50% water changes to get down to 40ppm.
4. Nothing seems to be going up or down, try adding heat. Temps around 72-78 degrees can help bacteria grow faster.
I ORDERED MY AXOLOTL BUT MY TANK IS NOT READY, WHAT DO I DO!?
I can relate to this so much! You are so excited for your new axolotl you order him/her. now you realized your tank is not safe or ready for your new friend! I HAVE THE SOLUTION FOR YOU!!
• You can “tub” your new friend in fresh cool de-chlorinated water in a food grade safe bin or shoe box size tote. You will have to do daily 100% water changes with prime everyday while they are being tubbed. Axolotls love floor space more so than height, so keep that in mind when buying your tote. You may want to get an extra one to make water changes easier. Some new axolotl owners like tubbing their new friend for the first couple months to make feedings easier, keep a closer eye on them, and help with bonding. Make sure your tote has a hide and you can also add an air stone for added oxygen. This is not necessary as you will be doing 100% water changes daily, but I find it helps. You can also add an Indian almond leaf to your tub to help with stress.
You will also want to have a tub on hand even if your tank is ready and cycled. This can be used if ever your axolotl is sick, your cycle crashes, or you are needing to keep a closer eye on your friend.