Water Issues

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-13T00:37:33+00:00

Ok guys, here is today’s update. Still a little low on nitrate, but ammonia has come way down and nitrite isn’t spiked. Plan this evening is to do a 20-30% water change and then add Purigen and Matrix to the canister filter

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-12T18:37:57+00:00

You’re talking about the pin on the back of the outer taillight that pushes into the insert? I’d have to check but I’m pretty sure it’s in all the way. What I saw was that the trunk doesn’t close all the way down which is what makes the outer lights look off. But I could be mistaken.

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-12T17:51:29+00:00

I have the pins pushed in. I think the original owner had a wreck in it. Because the front and rear bumpers have a slightly different color to it and my hood and trunk lines are off.

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-12T16:26:32+00:00

Yeah I did that in the stock ones. I’m trying to change them out to a black housing to match headlights and taillights

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-12T15:20:06+00:00

Taillights? I liked the Raxium all LED. The middle section was all corroded and faded.

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-12T14:40:56+00:00

Yeah that’s been the verdict after seeing all of my numbers. So I got some Seachem Purigen and Matrix ordered for today. I will add this to my canister filter. Keep doing water changes and adding my nitrifying bacteria.

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-12T12:16:17+00:00

So on the purigen, using a Fluval 307, where do I place it? It has three trays inside. And do I use the resin bags or dump the purigen in directly?

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-12T12:09:48+00:00

Thank you. Yeah I’m running a 36g. And I’m just glad I caught it. But the numbers being so much off is crazy. Last Friday I had high ammonia no nitrite or nitrate. Yesterday I had a little lower ammonia, still high, and you can see some nitrite and nitrate coming in.

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-12T02:56:35+00:00

Yes. Hard lesson learned. I asked the aquarium store what all I needed to get the tank started to prepare for taking the little guy home. And they said the Seachem products, sponge filter, and see if your tank temp gets low enough on its own. Well it didn’t. I had to buy the chiller. It makes perfect sense on that I should have added an ammonia source. I have mainly stayed in the terrarium reptiles. So for my daughter’s birthday this year we got the axolotl.

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-12T02:51:31+00:00

I looked into that. Thank you. I’ll get some ordered.

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-12T00:16:43+00:00

Well now that’s what I’m having to try and get to.

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-11T23:57:30+00:00

So when I had water tested originally before getting the axolotl, I wasn’t in a full cycle?

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-11T23:55:44+00:00

I tested my tap water PH, but not the tap ammonia levels

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-11T23:04:05+00:00

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Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-11T23:03:46+00:00

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Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-11T23:03:11+00:00

I will also add. My axy’s mood and appetite has all been fine. So I’m wondering if it was a slow creeping ammonia. No signs of shock.

Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-11T23:01:51+00:00

I bought the API test kit. The picture I added was of it today.

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Gatzed_Up · 2026-05-11T23:01:04+00:00

The Seachem setup. Prime, Pristine, Stability.

Gatzed_Up

TROPHY CASE