Maintaining the balance
Water quality must be maintained throughout the operation of the aquarium. The water must be kept clean and crystal clear. The appearance of cloudiness indicates a degradation of the water and the urgency of a renewal. The presence of a bacterial veil on the surface is not abnormal - within certain limits - when this veil becomes too thick, it is also a sign of a problem and an indication that the gas exchange between water and air is insufficient. The behavior of the animals also gives indications of their well-being: when the air intake at the surface intensifies, it means that the animal is starting to lack oxygen. As the water is charged with oxygen when it comes into contact with the air, the smaller the water column, the larger the surface area of the tank in relation to its height, and the more oxygen the water can take in.
Another form of environmental degradation, which is invisible, is the accumulation of toxic substances (ammonium, nitrites and nitrates) in the water, which are produced by bacteria in the process of decomposition of waste, especially axolotle excrement.
Finally, clean water is water with the lowest possible density of bacterial germs, therefore, as oxygenated as possible, without excess waste and suspended matter. The warmer the water, the more difficult it is to maintain optimal conditions and the more difficult it is for the animal's body to defend itself. Surface plants, as we have seen, play an important role in the elimination of nitrates. They also contribute to the oxygenation of the water, while being likely, at certain times (at night) to decrease the oxygen content. Generally speaking, a well-designed and well-balanced aquarium naturally prevents problems. However, maintaining good conditions necessarily requires maintenance and/or the installation of filtration equipment.
Regular maintenance consists of water changes. With a primed hose, the waste at the bottom of the tank is sucked out and replaced with an equivalent volume of clean water prepared in advance. To have a significant effect, at least one third of the water in the tank must be changed. The more densely populated and the smaller the aquarium, the more frequent the water changes should be. In the minimal configuration of an adult animal in a 50-60 liter tank without filtration, the change should be almost weekly.
Installing a filter reduces the rate of change. A filter is a "reactor" that intensifies the action of the purifying bacteria by passing the water over a bed colonized by them. For this reason, all the elements of a filter should never be cleaned simultaneously, so as not to completely rid them of useful bacteria. The filter also mechanically retains suspended elements that disturb the water and, by stirring the water, it brings the deeper layers into contact with the surface where they are recharged with oxygen. This also has the advantage of limiting and delaying to a certain extent the negative effects of a rise in ambient temperature. Filtration is especially necessary for large aquariums with a large population.
However, the following points should be considered before choosing or not choosing filtration: The axolotl needs oxygenated water, but it does not like eddies or current.
Surface plants also do not like excessive current. However, they are the most efficient purifiers we have.
It is therefore out of the question to use the high-powered filters, with pumps that treat several times the volume of the tank in one hour, that are usually offered on the market for ornamental aquariums
Cleaning the aquarium
Axolotl fishbowl or aquarium maintenance is identical to ‘regular’ maintenance, so we won’t go excessively far into this.
The most essential tasks are substratum vacuuming (after feedings and during liquid renewal), liquid renewal (weekly depending on your liquid test results) and strainer cleaning (bi-weekly). On top of that, you might need to prune grows and do algae scrubbing where necessary.
It is important to note that excessive hygiene can be just as harmful as a lack of hygiene. Bacteria are not bad in themselves - in fact, they are very important to the metabolism and health of the animals. These bacteria are not primarily deposited in the water itself, but rather on the bottom and on/in the filter.
Excess nitrate, which develops through axolotl droppings and dead plant parts, should be removed during cleaning - however, too meticulous cleaning of the bottom and filter should be avoided, as you may run the risk of eliminating all "good" bacteria.
When the filter is cleaned, it is first emptied. Simply squeeze the sponges slightly. The filter housing is cleaned and, if necessary, the substrate is refilled. The hoses should also be cleaned briefly; then the filter can be reassembled and put into operation. The filter should not be out of service for more than an hour - but cleaning usually does not take that long.
It is recommended to do a rough cleaning of the tank about every two weeks. The major cleaning only needs to be done about every four months.
During the rough cleaning, the plants as well as the accessories are removed from the tank. The bottom is vacuumed, for example with a substrate cleaner (hose). The plants are washed under running water. Depending on the size of the respective plant, this can be done under a tap or in the shower. The objects are also washed under running water and ideally wiped down briefly. During the rough cleaning, the axolotls can remain in the tank; they do not necessarily have to be taken out. It is recommended to change about 30 to 40 percent of the water.
However, during the major cleaning every four months, the axolotls must be removed from the tank. They can wait during the cleaning in boxes that have been filled with cold water beforehand. The objects and plants are also removed from the tank. The filter is then switched off and removed.
It is important to note that excessive hygiene can be just as harmful as a lack of hygiene. Bacteria are not bad per se - in fact, they are very important for the metabolism and health of the animals. These bacteria mainly do not settle in the water itself, but rather at the bottom and at/in the filter.
Excess nitrate, which develops through the droppings of the axolotls and through dead plant parts, should be removed during cleaning - however, too meticulous cleaning of the bottom and the filter should be avoided, as one can run the risk of eliminating all "good" bacteria.
When the filter is cleaned, it is first emptied. It is sufficient to lightly squeeze out the sponges. The housing of the filter is cleaned and, if necessary, substrate is refilled. The hoses should also be cleaned briefly; then the filter can be reassembled and put into operation. The filter should not be out of operation for more than an hour - but cleaning usually does not take that long anyway.
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