Axolotl tank cycle help!

[pixxxie]

Hi there,
I am a new axolotl owner. I currently have a 75gallon tank, that I thought was cycled after bacteria treatments, so I put them in.

Now my tank is reading 0.25 ammonia, 0 nitrite and about 5 nitrate. I decided to tub them for now because Others advised me that the tank was probably not cycled. I now have the tank filled with live plants, some gravel from another tank to add bacteria, and 2 raw shrimp (trying the shrimp cycling technique bc ammonia is not available in Canada) BUT I cannot for the life of me find a seeded foam filter or seeded filter media! Any ideas where I can find some locally to get this cycle moving ASAP???

Any other cycling tips or help is greatly appreciate. I am stressed about my axolotls well beings.

Thank you

[jred]

I’ve personally never heard of the shrimp cycling method, is it like just frozen ones you would get at the grocery store? The same effect can be achieve with just fish food, will decompose and become ammonia’s How long as the tank been running - if usually take 6-8 weeks for the bacteria to establish. If you can get you’re hands on anything from an established tank then it should help jumpstart your tank. If you’re near the forest glade area I can probably give you some media or “bacteria packs” (basically just gravel in a cloth bag to culture bacteria). Cheers!

[Crazygar]

You place an uncooked Shrimp in the tank. I have done this in the past. It is a bit more stinky (eventually, you need to replace the shrimp) but works great. Works good.

Gary

[gabor129]

If you are interested, I have cycled sponges that I run in my HOB filters. I could give you a piece! I’m on the east side!

PS- do not use gravel with your axalotl, they can swallow it and become impacted!