Axolotls prefer length to swim and not necessarily much depth to dive deeper or shallower. Long versions of tanks above a 20 gallon work best.
While you shouldn’t use gravel in the tank due to the ease of swallowing rocks, you should purchase a gravel vacuum to sift through the sand and suck up any waste. A sponge filter is best, as they suck in particles to allow for the growth of beneficial bacteria while producing oxygenation and circulation to pick up most of the loose debris.
Sand of any color that is safe for axolotls will be suitable, but it is best to have a bare bottom tank for baby axolotls, as they might accidentally ingest substrate. Rocks (as big as the axolotl’s head), fake plants, or plastic caves are a few examples of decorations you can plant in your axolotl tank. Make sure the decorations in the tank are not sharp, as they could easily scratch and injure your axolotl. If you are using rocks, place the decorations in a pattern and provide caves for shade because of their sensitivity to light. Rocks can often-times be stacked or staggered.
Different products may have different instructions on how much to use when putting the conditioner in.
A tank is cycled by first adding ammonia, such as household ammonia, and allowing the tank to run and build up beneficial bacteria in the filter and substrate. This process takes 6 to 8 weeks on average, so make sure you prepare in advance. The tank will be cycled once the water conditions level out and become consistent. The pH of an axolotl tank should be anywhere from 6. 5 to 8, but 7. 4 to 7. 6 is ideal.
Compare the water to suitable charts to see if it is safe for your axolotls to live in the water.
There are more types of Axolotls, especially when crossbred.
For the fish and axolotl’s safety, it’s best only to keep axolotls of the same size in the tank.
After the time is up; you can safely open the bag and let your axolotls free in the tank. It’s important to allow your axolotls to transition instead of adding them straight to the tank. Otherwise, you can put them into shock and cause fatality if the water temperatures are too far apart.
Make sure you have a dish to drop their food into the tank to help your axolotls locate the food to prevent it from getting lost or wasted in the substrate.
Look for any behavioral changes to indicate something may be wrong. Observe your axolotl’s eating habits, as a declined appetite is usually the first sign of illness.
Clean your tank using a gravel vacuum. Even if you do not use gravel, the vacuum helps keep the bottom of the tank clean and assists with water changes. A clean sponge can help clean any algae build-up on the side of the glass. Keep your tank out of direct sunlight to prevent algae buildup. 20% of water per week should be changed to maintain water conditions.
