Axolotl Preparations

Hey everyone!

I've started preparing a tank for an axolotl! I remember becoming first obsessed with them in fifth grade, and now, five years later, I'm finally getting one. I wanted to get everyone's opinions to once again ensure (I don't want to mess up!) that my setup and planning are correct.

Housing:
I have a 20 gallon long tank. I plan to keep one axolotl.

Substrate:
I am using CaribSea Super Naturals fine aquarium sand.

Hides:
I have one PVC pipe and a few artificial plants.

Temperature:
My room is usually cooler than the rest of my house; however, in the summer it can get quite warm. Would keeping the fan in my room help with this, or should I invest in an aquarium chiller? They are so expensive that I am hoping I can find another way to keep the water temperature down. Please leave your recommendations for controlling the temperature.

Filtration:
I currently have an Aqueon Quiet Flow 10 hang-on filter for up to 20 gallons. I debated getting the next size up because of how messy I've heard axolotls can be, but I didn't want to stress it out with too powerful of a flow. Please let me know if you think this filter will be too strong for the axolotl.

Food:
I plan to feed the axolotl a mix of earthworms and axolotl pellets every other day.

Lighting:
I do not have a specific lighting setup for this tank, as I have read that axolotls are quite sensitive to light.

Water Changes:
I plan to spot clean every day. I will probably do at least a 10% water change every few days with a 40-50% water change once a week to once every other week. Let me know if this sounds too often. I know that water changes are good, but can stress the axolotl out if done too often. I have an API Freshwater Master Test Kit on hand that I plan to test with at least once a week, possibly every day to every other day when I first settle in the axolotl.

Dechlorinator:
What is the best dechlorinator for axolotls? I have Reptisafe and Topfin regular freshwater dechlorinator. I also have betta-specific dechlorinators.

The tank does not have water in it yet, so it is not currently cycled. I plan to get a stand for it sometime soon so that I can put water in it and begin the cycle.

Please let me know if there is anything I haven't covered or have incorrect. Also, please leave any further suggestions down below. I'm really excited for this project, and I'm really excited to give an axolotl a home!

 

Congratulations! My only suggesting would be to go bare bottom to keep the axI from ingesting any of the substrate. I would also plan on at least one water change a week. Good luck!

 

Ok thank you!!

 

Would you be getting a baby or an older axolotl?

 

I was planning on getting a juvenile or sub-adult.

 

I was planning on getting a juvenile or sub-adult.

Okay I was going to say that if it was going to be a baby to keep it bare bottom, but if its an adult and the sand is fine enough there shouldn't be any problems. You could just add a thin layer of sand so that it can have a foot hold.

 

Temperature:
My room is usually cooler than the rest of my house; however, in the summer it can get quite warm. Would keeping the fan in my room help with this, or should I invest in an aquarium chiller? They are so expensive that I am hoping I can find another way to keep the water temperature down. Please leave your recommendations for controlling the temperature.

How hot does your room get? Depending on your answer (for instance if your room gets into the 80s I really do not think this will work), you could buy 1-2 clip on fans and point them directly at the surface of the water. You will have to deal with a lot of evaporation, but this can cool a tank 2-8 degrees F depending on the humidity of your area. If humidity is high, this will not help as much.

Another idea is a portable A/C unit... they actually can be cheaper than a chiller although not cheap!

Filtration:
I currently have an Aqueon Quiet Flow 10 hang-on filter for up to 20 gallons. I debated getting the next size up because of how messy I've heard axolotls can be, but I didn't want to stress it out with too powerful of a flow. Please let me know if you think this filter will be too strong for the axolotl.

IMO, the filter you have should be fine.

Food:
I plan to feed the axolotl a mix of earthworms and axolotl pellets every other day.

If you end up purchasing a juvenile, I would suggest feeding daily. If you get a sub-adult, your feeding schedule looks good!


Water Changes:
I plan to spot clean every day. I will probably do at least a 10% water change every few days with a 40-50% water change once a week to once every other week. Let me know if this sounds too often. I know that water changes are good, but can stress the axolotl out if done too often. I have an API Freshwater Master Test Kit on hand that I plan to test with at least once a week, possibly every day to every other day when I first settle in the axolotl.

That seems fine but may be hard to keep up with. They handle water changes pretty well though. I have several that have been living in rubbermaid bins due to treating a bacterial infection for 3 months(and I nuked their actual tank just in case and haven't had time to set it up...) with near daily 100% water changes. They look great!

IMO you could do your spot cleaning and then your weekly water change.

Dechlorinator:
What is the best dechlorinator for axolotls? I have Reptisafe and Topfin regular freshwater dechlorinator. I also have betta-specific dechlorinators.

My favorite is Prime, and I have used it for years and years with no complaints or issues.


The only other thing I have to add is check your water hardness. If the water hardness is too low, you axolotl can/will have problems maintaining his/her slime coat and can develop infections as a result. I never think to test where I am because the water is so hard!!!



This is one of my sub-adults that has been in the tubbing situation for months. She is a beauty IMHO!

 

SecretiveFish thank you so so much! This helps a lot! And your axolotl is beautiful!!

My house can get around 75°F in the summer. My house is very humid outside, but usually the inside is a little bit dryer.

 

Thanks! She is one of too many axolotls I currently have... I have 30!!! There are so many color morphs it is hard to keep from collecting them all. White albinos, golden albinos, wild types, melanoids, leucistic, coppers, an axanthic (lacking yellow), and copper axanthics, oh my!

You may be able to get away with the clip-on fans pointed directly at the surface of the water to keep your tank at or below 68 degrees then. On warmer days, a frozen 2-liter may be enough to keep the temperature under control Have you picked a color morph you want?