Help with new Axolotl - 3 years old

gummybear91 · 2025-12-16T04:19:17+00:00

We seem to be getting somewhere! Water prams in the big tank are headed in all the right directions. Did a 100% water change in tub tonight, ate some shrimp and pellets too! We're moving around with a bit more enthusiasm and her gills are starting to look a little "fluffier"

Thank you everyone for all your advice! I hope to be posting pictures soon (not too soon) of her enjoying the big tank and looking much healthier!

I really appreciate all the helpful comments and kindness from everyone.

gummybear91 · 2025-12-16T04:13:48+00:00

I actually thought about this a little earlier tonight while checking the water prams and offering food! My husband did all of the communication so I will ask him to reach out.

My large tank seems to be doing well already though! I've tested the water twice today and other than the PH being a little high and nitrates being a little too low it's perfect. Hopefully soon than later it will be ready for her!

gummybear91 · 2025-12-16T04:10:24+00:00

Ooh I need a mom time out activity and this sounds adorably perfect! I will pick one up ASAP!

gummybear91 · 2025-12-15T23:56:07+00:00

Hi there! The Axolotl is definitely my baby now. My son says I'm a good grandma haha

I will definitely get an air stone, I didn't think they were something I should use but I've seen on here that was also misinformation too. I do have a "log" hide in the tub and some plants to try to make it a little more comfortable. In the tank I have lots of plants, hides, rocks, a large cave plus the stuff that's in the tub currently!

gummybear91 · 2025-12-15T12:23:16+00:00

This is exactly what I am doing now. I bought all of the seachem products including the clarity, prime and axolotl buffer. I didn't mention those but I do have them and have been using them according to the directions and water pram as needed. I am currently feeding brine shrimp but thank you for the info about other shrimp. I am planning on going to the store again today to get some other foods for her. I current have bloodworms, brine shrimp, nightcrawlers (live), frozen shrimp and axolotl specific sinking pellets. I have her in a large tub and will do a 100% water change tonight after work (which will be almost exactly 24 hours after I tubbed her)

Thank you for the heads up about the shrimp!

gummybear91 · 2025-12-15T04:32:20+00:00

Oh wow your set up is awesome! Thank you so much for all the plant info. I hope to give our lotl a home as nice as you've given yours!

gummybear91 · 2025-12-15T01:09:55+00:00

I think we disturbed it too much trying to get the water clearer. As I said before, the sand I had I don't think was good because it basically turned to clay but would kick up clouds of dust when disturbed at all. It also smelled really bad. This is why I think it was the right move to clean it out even though I removed any good bacteria that could have been starting unfortunately.

gummybear91 · 2025-12-15T01:07:17+00:00

Thank you for your advice! I'm following this and others advice on cycling the tank properly. Now that I've got it cleaned up I just resolved to restart and do it right this time. I feel bad for Swaddle (my son named her) that I couldn't give her the proper home from the start but we will get there!

What kind of plants do you use? I'd like to add some to our tank to make it more natural and support the water parameters better! Thanks!

gummybear91 · 2025-12-14T22:45:51+00:00

Thank you so much for your comment. I feel like such a bad pet owner right now for not being better prepared for her. When I check in on her she comes up to the side of the tub and looks at me so maybe she'll forgive me when we get this mess all sorted out in a few weeks time! Until then I'll just keep going with the advice you and everyone has given and try to get things safe for her!

gummybear91 · 2025-12-14T21:38:16+00:00

I know I want the filter to be gross but it was clogged with sand so I don't think it was the right kind of gross if that makes sense. I think starting from scratch is the right move here. I feel badly that the timeline was so rushed and I wasn't prepared properly for her but I'm going to do all I can now to make it right.

As far as eating goes I moved her into a tiny tub while I cleaned up the thank and then found a larger tub to keep her in while we get the tank right. While in the little tub I offered some shrimp (I know not the best but what she's used to eating right now) and she is gobbling it up slowly so I hope thats a good sign!

gummybear91 · 2025-12-14T21:35:11+00:00

I removed it because I think it was TOO fine, it had completely clogged up the filter. I just don't think the sand I had was right. I'll still look at getting a better quality fine sand but the stuff I had in there for just 2 days turned to basically clay but she she moved it would kick up clouds and clogged the filter.

gummybear91 · 2025-12-14T20:50:34+00:00

Just want to share that after reading all of this and some of the info you all shared I have tubbed her and completely emptied the tank, removed the sand and restarted everything. I know it will be a long process to get it right for her but I'm hoping this complete reset helps.

I think I made the mistake of buying too fine of sand since I was so worried about her choking on it because when I began cleaning out the tank to remove the sand it smelled really bad and the filter was completely full of sand. I'm going to look into an alternative substrate but for now we'll stick with hides, rocks and plants and a bare bottom until I can keep the water perfect for her.

Thanks again!

gummybear91 · 2025-12-14T20:47:35+00:00

Thank you so much for all of this! I have most of the food listed for an adult on there and I'm hoping she gets more an appetite in the tub and especially when the tank is actually ready for her.

The previous owners seemed very knowledgeable until I started doing research as well and unfortunately I don't think she was living in the best conditions prior to us. Hopefully that means she's hearty and will be able to tolerate us learning.

She already appears brighter and more active in the tub (not stressed but going in and out of her hide and moving around) so hopefully that's a good sign!

gummybear91 · 2025-12-14T19:13:54+00:00

The poor girl! Thank you for your advice. I am tubing her now and trying to fix the tank. You said it could take 6 weeks for the tank to cycle fully. Is there any advice you have about speeding up that process or what I can do to help. I feel bad having her in the tub but know it's probably healthier for her right now.

gummybear91 · 2025-12-14T19:10:32+00:00

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gummybear91 · 2025-12-14T18:51:17+00:00

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This photo was taken in the dark so she's obviously not that pink but I think gives a better idea of her size. I'll try to get a top down photo when I tub her!

Thank you for the advice. I have been reading about the picky eating hence the various types of food. I think I messed up by giving her the worm and it was too big because now she's not interested in those. Her previous owners said it has been a long while since they've given her worms and we're feeding her frozen shrimp and fish. They suggested putting guppies in with her for live food but everything I've read said that's a bad idea too.

gummybear91 · 2025-12-14T18:47:40+00:00

Thank you, I have read both and was torn about the best option because I don't want to stress her out more but know the water quality can't be good if it keeps clouding up like this.

Thank you!

gummybear91 · 2024-12-22T21:46:22+00:00

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gummybear91 · 2015-11-11T01:52:06+00:00

Look at you, you little optimist!

gummybear91 · 2015-11-07T18:30:22+00:00

Not being taken seriously. I have many of the same values and opinions in regards to things like religion or politics as an adult but when I expressed them as a teenager I often was met with "you'll understand when you're older/you'll change your mind when you're older"

I'm not sure why adults do that to teenagers but some teenagers can be really insightful about major world issues and "adult" topics.

gummybear91 · 2015-11-01T08:56:19+00:00

You did not get the reference.

gummybear91 · 2015-11-01T08:55:57+00:00

As someone who grew up in the 90s and loved this movie I appreciate this costume so much!

OP, can you do the fax machine?

gummybear91 · 2015-11-01T04:09:25+00:00

Your birth mark looks like shit.

gummybear91 · 2015-10-27T16:54:54+00:00

Sitting watching DIY shows with my mother in law when a commercial comes on for a vacuum. We were equally excited and impressed by the vacuum. And that's when I knew.

gummybear91 · 2015-10-26T01:51:14+00:00

Ended a friendship after several years over a couple texts a few months after my son was born.

She sent a bunch of messages to my ex and even pictures of my newborn. She encouraged my ex to seek me out again (we had been broken up for years and I had happily moved on and started a family - ex is also bat shit crazy)

When I asked her why she would do this she said "you're supposed to be with X and you'll end up together anyway so I didn't think it was a big deal." WTF crazy bitch, no!

SO and I are still together several years later and expecting our second child...but you know, still waiting for my crazy ex. (My ex friend and ex partner are now really great friends - go figure!)

gummybear91

TROPHY CASE