Axolotl setup questions!

20 gal min requirement, no other tank mates, no heater, slow current, no bright lights. I got one a couple months ago, and he's so easy to care for. He's in a 40 gallon, half filled so like 20 gallons of water. His hideouts are mostly pvc pipe and terracotta pots, so super cheap, and a driftwood with a thin layer of sand. I feed in a little clear jar so the food mess is contained. I keep mine in a basement, so it's pretty chilly year round so no fan.

 

I think I read too many threads about what could go wrong with them, that it scared me lol. I hate losing a animal when it would clearly be my fault. I heard basement was the best place for them because of steady cool climate year long.

Too bad my basement looks like a dungeon!

 

What kind of climate are you in?

 

My climate changes so much!! You would even believe it

 

Well, as long as it doesn't get crazy hot, I think a desk fan would be enough when it's warmer out.

 

I will give you an example toady it is 17 degrees out at night is dropping down to nine and Saturday is going to be around 40

 

That's warm compared to here. My axolotls tank is probably about 60° now, and will be closer to 70° during warmer months. As long as the house stays fairly consistent, you should be fine. There are gradual temp changes in their natural environment, so it can't be too bad.

 

I've been researching the same thing. I have a spare 45 gallon that I was going to give to my sister, and she asked me what I know about them. I've been keeping fish since I was a boy, but never reptiles or amphibians. Axolotls seem like interesting little creatures. Much different requirements than my Discus, for sure!!
My sister lives in Nashville, so I'm somewhat concerned about her ability to meet the temperature demands, as I do not think she has a basement and does not run air conditioning constantly. However, I live in Northeast Ohio and wouldn't have too much trouble. Hmmmmm...

 

Just get a adjustable heater. Set it at 70. If it gets super cool in the house should stay about 68-69

Edit- I reread and understand the problem is cooling not heating. Lol

 

Oddly enough during the summer with air conditioning and a fan on the surface of the water I was able to keep the tank at 68, but that was pushing it.

When it turned cold and the heat came on, it was a steady 73! Couldn't get it any colder than that! I didn't want to push it cause I knew that was just fall weather.

Though, went into the laundry this morning and it's a large area that I plan to setup some tanks for my goldfish breeding program and it was chilly in there. Think I may see how cold those tanks get. I don't think the area is heated and had a concrete floor.

Axies are great, just so hard to keep healthy because of temps.

 

Haha, man, I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I have a stick on thermometer, and yesterday it wasn't even reading, so I put a different thermometer inside, and it's at 62... I was stressing it was going to be too cold, and I'd need a heater, but none of mine go to low enough.

If your tanks get too warm, I did hear the desk fan blowing on the water helps a lot.

This was Kirby when I brought it home
this is Kirby a couple months later, all regrown. It's pretty neat to watch the regreneration.
this is his tank. It's a 40 gallon, but only half full until he gets larger.
the tank seems pretty empty, but I tried real plants, and it was just not working, so I've been slowly replacing with silk plants.... but they are way harder to find than I expected in my area.

 

So I'm basically in love with axolotls and can't get over how fascinating but cute they are! I wanted to write about the progress of setting up the tank and getting them and etc etc!
First thing I did was research RESEARCH research! Learning their history was cool, especially about the Mexico gods!(I think there was one named xolotl who was god of death???) Then I looked up proper care! Most say for one, 10 gallons is good! I was like WAIT! A creature that can grow to like almost a foot is gonna be in a small tank like that! So I have a spare 20 high, and was like perfect!!! So I was gonna have one axolotl in the tank but then I was like I NEED TWO! So I'm here for y'all to tel me not to get two or tell me yeah do it!
In the meantime, I tracked down everything I want and made a check list and alternates with prices!




Edit to list: I realized glass lids are bad for axolotls bc they create humidity and raise water temp so I switch to a metal mesh lid for $13 at Amazon! I might just drop the lights bc I don't really need them and they will tempt me to keep them on!
For the location, I plan on putting it on my chest furniture piece! It's very tall so the cat won't get it! Lol! I will post the photo when I get home!
If anyone has comments , feel free to comment away! Also, if you know any breeders, lmk asap bc the axolotl prices I have on the list just increased!(don't know why but kinda mad)
Thanks in advance!

 

Juvenile axolotls will kill eachother but adults can sometimes be kept together. In a 20 gallon I would just do one

I'm not familiar with the filters you've listed but make sure there's very little flow. You can use a spray bar to lower flow, make a DIY baffle or direct the flow at a tank wall or ornament to lower flow.

They don't like to much light so skipping the light may be a good idea

With any of the décor make sure it couldn't scratch them.

Try to keep the temperature low, around 60-68f is good.

 

Juvenile axolotls will kill eachother but adults can sometimes be kept together. In a 20 gallon I would just do one

I'm not familiar with the filters you've listed but make sure there's very little flow. You can use a spray bar to lower flow, make a DIY baffle or direct the flow at a tank wall or ornament to lower flow.

They don't like to much light so skipping the light may be a good idea

With any of the décor make sure it couldn't scratch them.

Try to keep the temperature low, around 60-68f is good.

Yes! I did see that juvenile axolotls are more aggressive than when adults, but if they are same size, it should be good. The only reason I wanted to buy two was shipping is $20 and when I'm buying one, why not get two and only pay that fee once. I feel that just getting one will be the easiest for me currently bc I need to get use to it and how it lives. Maybe later, I could go to the reptile show and find an adult axolotl which would be a bit more expensive but I don't have to pay for shipping at least, so they kinda are the same price! The hardest decision is deciding which color I want!!!! They're all so neat and different!!!
The decor is just gonna be a flat rock, a piece of white/black/brown driftwood , a pvc pipe, and maybe a good feeding area so it doesn't eat the sand even though sand should be fine! Thanks for advice!
Edit: The filters are just sponge filters , and I already have an air pump! The other was aquaclear 30 but it's so expensive and the sponge filter seems better too!

So I have a question, is there a major difference in the appearance of the axolotl when it's gfp??? I am trying to decide if I want a leucistic axolotl or a leucistic gfp axolotl for $5 more.

 

Hello!
Are you sure you can put the tank on your chest furniture? It's going to be around 200 pounds if you account sand, water, and tank weight. Last thing you want is your furniture collapsing, spilling 20 gallons of water and an axolotl everywhere!
What's the gph of filter pump do you have?
And don't forget food costs! What are you planning to feed your axie? I've heard that earthworms and pellets are good staples with bloodworm, blackworms, and brine shrimp as treats. Earthworm farm, maybe?
You probably have nets, water conditioner, tests, and siphon, so you sound like you're good to go! I suggest getting one axolotl to start with- let it grow to an adult, check if the nitrate levels are manageable, and work from there. For the leucistic or leucistic gfp, it depends mainly on if you have a black light or not, lol. I'd just take leucistic, as the gfp ones might be more inbred.

 

Hello!
Are you sure you can put the tank on your chest furniture? It's going to be around 200 pounds if you account sand, water, and tank weight. Last thing you want is your furniture collapsing, spilling 20 gallons of water and an axolotl everywhere!
What's the gph of filter pump do you have?
And don't forget food costs! What are you planning to feed your axie? I've heard that earthworms and pellets are good staples with bloodworm, blackworms, and brine shrimp as treats. Earthworm farm, maybe?
You probably have nets, water conditioner, tests, and siphon, so you sound like you're good to go! I suggest getting one axolotl to start with- let it grow to an adult, check if the nitrate levels are manageable, and work from there. For the leucistic or leucistic gfp, it depends mainly on if you have a black light or not, lol. I'd just take leucistic, as the gfp ones might be more inbred.

I had a tv on it before and a rock that was like 25 lbs. plus it is pretty large and I think it will hold it here's a bad pic but you can judge it:


The sponge filter should be fine but I'm not hundred percent sure what the air pump power is. It was used in my 20 gallon before with an air stone . I plan on feeding my axolotl with worms from bait shops , cutting them depending on size. I'm Pennsylvania there's tons of bait shops here so it should be good!

I plan on going with one leucistic for now and see how it goes!

 

Nice tree! I can't tell how much it can hold from a pic, but if you know the brand it is you could google how much it can hold to be safe. Ask yourself if you could sit on it (maybe with a pet and/or that rock depending on how much you weigh), but be careful. (Life advice from Quiche: sit on something to see if it breaks)
My mom said that I could get an axolotl a year and a half ago, but then I set up a 55 gallon. After I'm done starting it up, I'm planning on getting an axolotl tank. Maybe I'll learn something from following this thread! Keep us updated! When do you think you'll be starting to set up?

 

Nice tree! I can't tell how much it can hold from a pic, but if you know the brand it is you could google how much it can hold to be safe. Ask yourself if you could sit on it (maybe with a pet and/or that rock depending on how much you weigh), but be careful. (Life advice from Quiche: sit on something to see if it breaks)
My mom said that I could get an axolotl a year and a half ago, but then I set up a 55 gallon. After I'm done starting it up, I'm planning on getting an axolotl tank. Maybe I'll learn something from following this thread! Keep us updated! When do you think you'll be starting to set up?

lol I had to look for a decent photo, ended up being two Christmas's ago! It's an actual furniture piece which you buy at a furniture store. I would think it would be strong but again, anything could happen!
I plan on setting it up as soon as possible , as I cleaned and washed out my 20 gallon tank and now I just need consent from parents to buy the materials . Then I plan on taking some water from my 55 during a water change and adding it to my tank, plus a rock to add more beneficial bacteria!
Would you recommend putting sand in before adding water or after to minimize the cloudiness?

 

I test out stands by having my kids jump on them. Yea lots of funny looks at the pet store. Lol. I looked into getting one but still can't figure out hiw to keep it cold enough short of a chiller. Sand van be put in before or after. If after I use a big funnel that way it gets placed right on the bottom abd doesn't have to settle threw the water column. Oh and try to stay away from particle board furnace, it doesn't hold up to water getting spilled or splashed on it.

 

Before adding water is best. Swishing/washing the sand in a bucket really helps with cloudiness, which actually isn't a problem as long as the filter is off. From reviews your sand seems to be larger in particle size, so it won't cloud as much.
Have you tried looking for a local axolotl breeder instead of online shipping? You could see the axolotl before buying it and being driven is less stressful.

 

I test out stands by having my kids jump on them. Yea lots of funny looks at the pet store. Lol. I looked into getting one but still can't figure out hiw to keep it cold enough short of a chiller. Sand van be put in before or after. If after I use a big funnel that way it gets placed right on the bottom abd doesn't have to settle threw the water column. Oh and try to stay away from particle board furnace, it doesn't hold up to water getting spilled or splashed on it.

Oh it's definitely not particle board, it's actual wood that's really nice! Petco and petsmart workers were probably going crazy fans are a great cheap alternative to a chiller! Only $30 for a nice fan! I'll probably just put sand in before bc it seems less stressful!

Before adding water is best. Swishing/washing the sand in a bucket really helps with cloudiness, which actually isn't a problem as long as the filter is off. From reviews your sand seems to be larger in particle size, so it won't cloud as much.
Have you tried looking for a local axolotl breeder instead of online shipping? You could see the axolotl before buying it and being driven is less stressful.

Yeah I'll probably just put the sand in first as it seems easier! Do you think the substrate will be good for the axolotl? If it's too big it will be bad for it!

I did look for local breeders but can't seem to find any! The only luck I have is maybe a reptile show near me that might sell axolotls??? Do you know anything about axolotls at reptile shows? Price???

 

adding water from another tank won't help much. The cycle is mostly in your filter media. Some people have an extra filter on their tank so when the get another they just put the cycled filter and put on the new tank. If you use some of the filter media from your big tank that would be better than water.

 

adding water from another tank won't help much. The cycle is mostly in your filter media. Some people have an extra filter on their tank so when the get another they just put the cycled filter and put on the new tank. If you use some of the filter media from your big tank that would be better than water.

How would I do that with the sponge filter? Lol! I could just put my spare filter on it and when the tank is cycled I'll remove filter and put on sponge filter! Does that sound good?

 

That should work it takes about a month to seed a filter.

 

That should work it takes about a month to seed a filter.

Seed?
Even with the used filter it will take a month???!???? That's forever, considering I put a filter with BB on tank! Good thing reptile show is in a month!

 

If you put used media its basically an instant cycle. If you put a new filter in your old tank it will take a month to be ready to put on a new tank.

 

If you put used media its basically an instant cycle. If you put a new filter in your old tank it will take a month to be ready to put on a new tank.

Oh! So if I do put old filter on and then take old filter off and put new filter on it, it will still be good, or will it take a month?

 

As long as your axolotl doesn't have intestines the thickness of an uncooked spaghetti, sand is perfectly fine! I have no idea about the reptile show.
Seeding the filter is probably your best bet, besides maybe bacteria supplements like TSS+, which I can't vouch for. What type of filter does your 55 gallon have?

 

As long as your axolotl doesn't have intestines the thickness of an uncooked spaghetti, sand is perfectly fine! I have no idea about the reptile show.
Seeding the filter is probably your best bet, besides maybe bacteria supplements like TSS+, which I can't vouch for. What type of filter does your 55 gallon have?

I have an aqueon 55/75 HOB filter. I believe it has an rate of 400 gallons per hour. I have two of those so Moving one won't affect the 55 too much for the short time it is moved.

Does anybody know if black blasting sand is good? Is it fine course sand? Is caribsea sand better?
Also, what's the price of it bc the caribsea sand is only $15 and I'll use the whole 20lb bag, but with a huge bag, I'll have leftover so would it even be worth it?

So this is where the tank will go!




I sat on it with the tank and it didn't move! I weigh a good 180 plus 20 gallon tank itself is like 200 lbs! I think it's safe!
Second, is my air pump! It's a marina 75! Will this be good for a sponge filter?


And here is a pic of my cat while is was in my room!

 

I don't have experience with blasting sand. I would be inclined to buy one bag of CaribSea sand since I have had very good experiences with it.

That pump should be fine, if it ends up having two much flow you can add a valve to slow it down.

Which color morphs are you going to get? You can keep juveniles together as long as they are well fed and there is enough room. The problem is that unless you get adults, you may end up with a male/female and then have to have two tanks...

 

I’m so happy to tell everyone that my axolotl is in route to its forever home! I’m so excited! I’ve been looking at axolotls for quite the time (4 years now) and finally took initiative to get one!

A little background :
I ordered my axolotl off of axolotlfactory(Margie’s axolotls) and ordered a Speckled Leucistic juvenile for $30.

Shipping cost $20 for USPS priority shipping . The only downside to this is it does take some time and rn am crossing my fingers he/she is doing fine! It shipped on Saturday and is suppose to arrive at the facility tonight and be shipped to my post office in the morning for me to pick up. If anyone ordered fish online, is this normal? I know it’s an axolotl but it’s still a live animal. Also, the owner required it to be held at the post office for pick up due to excessive heat during the summer which is nice in case it was shipped to the wrong house !

Housing:
I have a 20 High set up for one axolotl, which should be a good size for it! Also, could potentially have room for one more depending on how big he or she may get.
The substrate is blue sand that is very fine! I had pool filter sand in there before and this compared to that... major difference in sand size! I also bought two 12” x 12” black tiles in case sand does not work and need a substrate that’s not just bare bottom. For the moment, they are just background pieces.
I have two elbow PVC pipes used as caves for my axolotl. Hopefully they’ll be used! One may be too big but I didn’t know what size to get considered axolotls get to about 10”. I also have two other “tri” pieces used as mounts for a piece of tile. This makes a second level for the axolotl to chill on , hopefully giving him/her more space! In the middle, I have a feeding dish for salmon pellets and bloodworms. That is what I will be feeding my juvenile, and then hopefully moving to worms. I just don’t know where to get worms as I heard bait shops aren’t that good for axolotl health in case they weren’t raised naturally. Lastly, I have two Marimo moss balls for a finishing touch!
Temperature is set around 64 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes fluctuating to 67 or dropping to 63. I have a minI fan on the top of my glass lid which is helping maintain such a cool temp for the axolotl!
The water is perfect for now! I’ve tested it and did water changes to guarantee it’s ideal for an axolotl!
Ammonia: 0 ppm (sometimes a mix between 0 and .25 ppm)
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 5 ppm

In conclusion, I’m eager and excited for my axolotl! I cannot wait and really hope he survives as I’ve never had an animal shipped to my home!
Top Names:
Male- Ulysses, Atticus, Thanatos, Poseidon, Perseus , Baymax, Asland
Female- Persephone, Calypso, Circe, Ella
Please lmk your favorites and some of your ideas!

Lastly, let me know your thoughts on the set up and any other info about axolotls that is helpful!

 

I want one so bad but have no idea how to keep the water cold enough for them. Good luck. They sure are adorable.

 

Where do they live in the wild?

 

Where do they live in the wild?

According to Wiki, the axolotl is only native to Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in central Mexico. Lake Chalco no longer exists, as it was artificially drained to avoid periodic flooding, and Lake Xochimilco remains a remnant of its former self, existing mainly as canals. The water temperature in Xochimilco rarely rises above 20 °C (68 °F), though it may fall to 6 to 7 °C in the winter, and perhaps lower.[citation needed]

Axolotl - Wikipedia

 

Where do they live in the wild?

They are native to a lake in Mexico listed below but unfortunately, they are extinct in the wild and are only captive bred animals however, with the popularity of them and breeding, there are ppl trying to repopulate them enough to have them in the wild again!

According to Wiki, the axolotl is only native to Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in central Mexico. Lake Chalco no longer exists, as it was artificially drained to avoid periodic flooding, and Lake Xochimilco remains a remnant of its former self, existing mainly as canals. The water temperature in Xochimilco rarely rises above 20 °C (68 °F), though it may fall to 6 to 7 °C in the winter, and perhaps lower.[citation needed]

Axolotl - Wikipedia

Yup! That’s the lake! I keep their water at about 64 degrees Fahrenheit! The lower the temp, the slower their metabolism is and they rarely move then

 

They are native to a lake in Mexico listed below but unfortunately, they are extinct in the wild and are only captive bred animals however, with the popularity of them and breeding, there are ppl trying to repopulate them enough to have them in the wild again!


Yup! That’s the lake! I keep their water at about 64 degrees Fahrenheit! The lower the temp, the slower their metabolism is and they rarely move then

Why would we want them to rarely move? They are so adorable though. I either wanted puffers or an axolotl, and am going with puffers because of the temperature thing.

 

Why would we want them to rarely move? They are so adorable though. I either wanted puffers or an axolotl, and am going with puffers because of the temperature thing.

Sorry for the misunderstanding! What I meant was if kept below the suggested temp(64-66 degrees Fahrenheit), they will slow down in movement and go into almost a hibernation state... if kept below that by a lot, they will die.

Puffers seem so cool to have! Another fish on my list!

So my axolotl arrived today! Honestly, pictures don’t do these creatures enough justice! They’re so fascinating ! I hope he isn’t stressed out, but I mean he was shipped from Washington so Only concern is I tried feeding him a pellet. He didn’t eat it. So then I tried feeding him a worm I dug up. He sucked it in and then chewed on it and then spit it out. I thought the piece just might be too big so I tried a small piece. He did the same thing with the other piece. Is this normal and I’m just overly concerned or should I actually be concerned???

 

HE STILL GOT HIS SILLY TAIL

 

HE STILL GOT HIS SILLY TAIL

Not gonna lie I have no idea what that means?

 

lol, for some reason I thought axolotls lost that big transluscent border around their tails when they got older, kinda like tadpoles. my bad xD