Axolotls are messy creatures that produce quite a lot of waste. This waste needs to be filtered so that the aquarium water doesn’t have a high load of waste. In this post, you will learn about various filters that you can use for an axolotl tank, filter setup, flow needs, axolotl tank filter installation and the best types of filters for axolotls.
Which types of filters are there for axolotl tanks?
There are three main types of filters that you can use for an axolotl tank. Those are chemical, mechanical and biological.
Chemical filters contain adsorbents such as carbon that remove unwanted ions, molecules etc. such as ammonia and heavy metals.
Mechanical filters remove debris and various small or large particles in the tank.
Biological filters contain biological media, that house essential nitrifying bacteria in your axolotl’s tank. These nitrifying bacteria keep the nitrogen cycle going, to eliminate and neutralize toxic ammonia intro nitrites and then nitrates.
You must use a biological filter in your axolotl’s tank. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t perform any water changes. Filter allows to reduce water changes, however you must change 10-30% tank’s water at least once a week.
What is the best filter type for an axolotl tank?
The best filter for an axolotl tank is a biological filter that will keep the nitrogen cycle going continuously, and a gentle flow or adjustable flow rate. Not only a biological filter is the best, but it’s essential in your axolotl’s tank to keep it healthy.
Axolotls produce lots of waste, so a strong biological filter is a must to prevent ammonia poisoning in your axolotl. It will also help clear heavy waste to keep water parameters stable, so you can do less water changes.
Another thing that you must consider when getting a filter for your axolotl is which current it will be producing. Axolotls hate strong currents, and don’t need any current at all.
Very gentle current will allow them to move around freely, and even walk on a bare bottom if it’s what you have currently. Strong currents stress axolotls and eventually make them sick. Some filters will allow you to regulate the current, which is a good feature.
Axolotl filter setup in a tank
A completely new filter that has biological media needs to be introduced before your start cycling the tank. In a new tank, you will introduce the filter and add dechlorinated water.
Then, you will need to start the cycling. Please note, that your axolotl must not be in a tank yet, until cycling is complete. Keep your filter running continuously during the cycling process.
Cycling steps in general are following:
- Place your filter in an axolotl’s tank.
- Add water in a tank (leave 2 inches/5 cm between a tank lid and water)
- Introduce ammonia in a bottle or at least fish food. Levels must rise to 2-4ppm.
- Add kick-start nitrifying bacteria in a bottle like this. Essential bacteria will populate the tank and end up in a filter, too. Bacteria will start feeding on ammonia to convert into nitrites and then nitrates.
- Ammonia levels will go down to 0, nitrites to 2-4 ppm, and then drop to 0 as well. Then, nitrate levels will go above 0.
- Do partial water change (60-80%, can be gradual), to bring nitrate levels down to 10-40ppm before introducing your axolotl.
When cycling is complete, you can introduce your axolotl. Filters will be now populated with nitrifying bacteria. This is how you need to setup a filter in a new axolotl tank.
If your tank is not new, your biological medium in a sponge/bio-ball/ceramic ring of the filter won’t need to be replaced. You must avoid squishing it or washing under tap water, as it will destroy bacteria (chlorine in water). If the medium is very dirty, you can rinse it in aquarium water.
However, if your filter only allows disposable cartridges, you need to run both old and new cartridge together to allow nitrifying bacteria to colonize your new cartridge.
Never just get rid of the cartridge and put a new one straight away, as this will cause serious issues with your nitrogen cycle.
You can read all about axolotl tank cycling here.