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Nitrogen Cycle
Before purchasing an axolotl a cycled tank is required. Cycling a tank is much more than filtering the water. It refers to the establishment of nitrifying bacteria, which can be a slow process. With seeded products, the process can be sped up greatly. See below to understand the stages of water cycling.
Stage 1: Ammonia (Harmful)
The nitrogen cycle begins with waste from poop, pee, rotting food or plants. These all give off ammonia as they breakdown. Ammonia will continue to build up in your tank, reaching deadly levels, until a beneficial bacteria forms. These bacteria naturally appear in your tank on their own and once they grow in number, they can eat ammonia as quickly as it appears. You know these bacteria are present in your aquarium when your ammonia levels begin to decline, typically after the first week. When that happens, the second stage of the nitrogen cycle begins
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Stage 2: Nitrites (Harmful)
As your ammonia levels begin to decline, the nitrite levels begin to rise. This is because the bacteria that eat the ammonia give off a new chemical – nitrite. Just like ammonia, nitrites are highly toxic to your fish.
As nitrite levels rise, a second bacteria appears in your aquarium. Once this bacteria grows in number, it can eat nitrites as quickly as they are produced. You know this bacteria is present in your aquarium when you see your nitrite levels begin to fall. When this happens, the third and final stage of the nitrogen cycle begins.
Stage 3: Nitrates (Harmless)
As your nitrite levels decline, the nitrate levels rise because the bacteria that eat nitrites give off a new chemical – nitrate. Nitrates are the final product of the nitrogen cycle, and are relatively harmless to your aquarium, in small amounts. As nitrates build up, they can become toxic to your fish. Nitrates can be lowered back to harmless levels by performing a water change. This is one of the reasons why you should be performing regular water changes on your aquarium. Nitrate levels need to reach 10ppm before adding an axolotl. Once they reach 20ppm it is time to do a 25% water change.
Quick Cycle Instructions with our Seeded Filter
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Step 1: Set up Tank
Fill the tank with tap water treated with water conditioner to remove chlorine. Add the seeded filter to the aquarium, using airline to attach it to a pump. After you get the filter running, add fishes fuel (ammonia) daily. Important note, the filter needs to be added to the tank upon arrival. As it sits, the bacteria dies off and takes longer to establish.
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Step 2: Adjust ph
Ph 7.6-8.0 will give the quickest results, because it provides the best environment for bacteria to multiply. To adjust the ph temporarily, baking soda can be added. Mix 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in a cup of aquarium water. Add to the tank, wait an hour and test the ph. Repeat to achieve the required result. Once cycling is complete, add Axolotl buffer to the tank to maintain proper ph for the axolotl.
Axolotl Buffer can be purchased here.
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Step 3: Ammonia Treatment
Daily add 20 drops fishless fuel (ammonia).
24 Hours later, test for ammonia before adding more fishless fuel .
*If ammonia is zero, that means bacteria is present and feeding on the ammonia. Continue to add 20 drops of fishless fuel daily and test after 24 hours.
Begin Step 3
*If ammonia is present 24 hours after adding the drops, don’t add fishless fuel, instead, test daily watching for ammonia to decrease. If ammonia does not decrease after 3 days, add a bacteria source.
Step 4: Nitrates & Nitrites
Watch for nitrates and nitrites to appear.
When nitrates appear, continue adding 20 drops of fishless fuel daily.
If nitrites appear reduce fishless fuel dose to 10 drops daily .
Once nitrites reach 0ppm add 10 drops fishless fuel daily until axolotl is ready to be added.
If nitrates reach 25ppm, perform a 25% water change.
The cycle is ready for axolotl when
Nitrate test is 10-25ppm
Nitrite test is 0ppm
Ammonia test is 0ppm
Important Note: If you test for ammonia you must wait 24 hours after water changes or
ammonia doses. This gives the bacteria time to consume the ammonia.
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