Cycle
The microbial process that lets a tank process ammonia and nitrite.
Glossary
Care terms without the fog.
Short definitions for water quality, setup and health terms used across the guide.
Ammonia
A dangerous nitrogen waste product that should read 0 ppm in an axolotl tank.
Nitrite
A dangerous nitrogen-cycle intermediate that should read 0 ppm.
Nitrate
The less toxic nitrogen reading managed through water changes and plant uptake.
Temperature
A core axolotl-care parameter; cooler, stable water is usually safer than warm water.
Biofilter
The living filtration that processes nitrogen waste in a cycled aquarium.
Water conditioner
A product used to make tap water safer by treating chlorine or chloramine before it enters the tank.
Impaction
A blockage risk when an axolotl swallows unsafe substrate or objects.
Substrate
The material on the bottom of the tank, such as bare glass, tile or suitable fine sand.
Fishless cycling
Building the aquarium cycle before the axolotl is added.