Routine maintenance for an axolotl tank

Good maintenance is quiet and repetitive. It keeps waste from becoming a surprise.

The exact rhythm depends on tank size, feeding, filtration, temperature and the individual animal, but the pattern is usually the same: test, remove waste, change water as needed and check equipment.

Daily checks

Each day, look for:

• Appetite and interest in food
• Unusual floating or posture
• Visible waste or uneaten food
• Temperature
• Filter flow
• Hides or decor that have shifted

Remove waste when you see it. Waiting for a weekly clean lets waste become chemistry.

Weekly checks

At least weekly, record:

• Ammonia
• Nitrite
• Nitrate
• Temperature pattern
• Water-change amount
• Feeding notes

In a stocked, cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should read 0 ppm. Nitrate is managed through water changes, feeding control and waste removal.

Equipment checks

Filters need steady flow and enough biological media to support the cycle. Do not replace all media casually, because that can remove useful bacteria.

Rinse reusable media only when needed, and use tank water or dechlorinated water rather than untreated tap water. Keep the cleaning gentle enough that the filter keeps doing its biological job.

Keep a simple log

A notebook, spreadsheet or note on your phone is enough.

Write the date, test results, water change, food, behaviour and anything unusual. When a problem appears, a short log gives you better information than memory.