Master How to Cycle an Axolotl Tank Easily

When I first decided to keep axolotls as pets, I thought it would be tough, but with the right cycling guide, it turned out to be surprisingly easy. It’s important to know beforehand what your pet needs and to have a few essential things prepared ahead of time. Before you purchase your first axolotl, make sure you understand the full Axolotl tank setup process.

In this article, you’ll learn step by step how to set up a brand new tank, establish the Nitrogen Cycle, and prepare a cozy home for your aquatic companion. This isn’t just about placing an axolotl in water—it’s about caring for it from the start with a strong foundation.

How to Cycle an Axolotl Tank – Answer

Tank Cycling Explained by Experience

When I began setting up my first aquarium, I had no idea that replicating what happens in a freshwater lake or pond would be so important. In those natural environments, many animals like fish, frogs, and snails live together with help from microscopic bacteria. 

These tiny residents keep the water clean by breaking down decaying organic material, like leftover feed and waste. This process, known as the nitrogen cycle, helps recycle harmful substances and turns them into safe forms for all aquatic species.

In your axolotl tank, you need to create this same system. When your pet eats and releases waste, it produces ammonia, which can increase and become toxic. But when the cycle is working, good bacteria will grow and begin the conversion of ammonia into nitrites, and then nitrates — these are much safer chemicals. 

This cycling process happens slowly and must be done properly to make sure the levels in your tank stay balanced. That’s why treating the water early and giving time for bacteria to grow is one of the most important things you can do for your axolotl.

There are two methods to start cycling. 

Method 1 is better for experienced aquarium hobbyists who can acquire pre-seeded media or a seeded sponge filter, which are dependent on existing tanks. But if you’re a first time owner, starting from scratch.

we strongly recommend method 2, which is beginner-friendly and made for new aquariums. This guide is helpful because it teaches you every step slowly and clearly, ensuring your tank becomes a healthy and safe home for your pet axolotl.

Best Water Conditions for a Healthy Axolotl

From my experience, maintaining the right water quality and chemical parameters is the most essential part of keeping your axolotl both happy and healthy. Every habitat needs balance, especially when you’re just starting the cycling process. It’s easy to test your tank using a freshwater test kit.

which you can purchase either online or at a local fish store, Petco, or PetSmart. I personally use the Freshwater Master Test Kit by API. Just follow the instructions, and within a few minutes, you’ll get all the data you need.

The pH level should ideally stay between 7.4–7.6, but 6.5–8.0 is still acceptable. For ammonia, your reading must stay at 0 parts per million. The same goes for nitrites (NO2) — always keep it at 0. Nitrates (NO3) should be between 5 and 20 parts per million. 

And yes, Axolotl water temperature is very important — make sure it stays between 60–68°F and definitely no higher than 72°F. When all these values are in check, your cycling process becomes smoother and safer for your pet.

How Long Does It Take to Complete the Cycle?

From my own aquarium experience, patience is key because bacteria grows slowly, and since axolotls produce a lot of waste, it must be dealt with properly or they can get sick or even die. When cycling a brand new tank from scratch without access to seeded media, it usually takes around 4 to 12 weeks. But sometimes a stalled cycle can make it take even longer. 

That’s why it’s essential to start cycling well before purchasing your axolotl. If you’re able to get a seeded filter or borrow beneficial media, the length of time needed to cycle your tank can be significantly reduced, making the process much smoother and safer for your axolotl.

Cycling Your Aquarium

From our personal experience with axolotls and different aquariums, we’ve tried several methods to cycle a new aquarium, and found that cycling it properly is what always worked best. There are two common ways to do this — Fishless Cycling and Instant Cycling — both of which can work depending on your setup and how much time you have. 

For beginners, Fishless Cycling might take a bit more time but it’s safer for the axolotl. Instant Cycling is quicker, but it often needs materials from already running tanks. We’ve tested these methods over hundreds of cycles, and both have worked well for us when done right.

Method 1: Instant Cycling

Instant cycling is the fastest, easiest, and most efficient way to start a healthy nitrogen cycle in a brand new aquarium. If you already have an axolotl but no cycled aquarium, this method can still work for you. Despite its name, the process is not truly instant and can take about two to four weeks to complete. Instant cycling is highly dependent on your ability to acquire seeded media. If you cannot find any, you’ll need to follow Method 2 and tub your axolotl temporarily. You can check out our guide on tubbing if needed.

Materials You Will Need

To start, you’ll need the right materials. A 20 gallon long aquarium is the minimum size recommended for juvenile and sub-adult axolotls, while 30-40 gallon breeder tanks are better for adult axolotls. Some sources online say a 20 gallon long is an acceptable size even for adults, but remember axolotls can grow up to lengths of 12 inches. In a tank that’s only 12 inches wide, they can’t move freely, which leads to stress and health problems. The more space you provide, the happier and healthier your pet will be.

Choosing the Right Filtration System

Good filtration is crucial, and many systems are available that work fine for axolotls. For a basic setup, you can choose a sponge filter with an air pump and airline tubing — the Small Hikari Bacto-Surge Biological Action Sponge Filter is great for a 20 gallon long tank, and the Large Hikari Bacto-Surge Biological Action Sponge Filter suits a 30-40 gallon breeder. Other options include an internal filter like the Sicce Shark ADV 600 for smaller tanks and the Sicce Shark ADV 800 for larger ones. If you prefer a hang-on-back filter, the Seachem Tidal 35 or Seachem Tidal 55 are excellent choices. For stronger filtration, a canister filter like the Sicce Whale 120 or Sicce Whale 200 works well too.

Boosting the Cycling Process

Using seeded media — pre-saturated with beneficial bacteria — from an existing cycled aquarium will speed things up. Alternatively, you can add bottled nitrifying bacteria through a bottled treatment solution to provide an immediate source of healthy bacteria. Also, adding bottled ammonium chloride ensures a constant supply of food for the bacteria, preventing them from starving and dying, which would crash your tank cycle.

Monitoring Your Progress

Always use an API Freshwater Master Test Kit to check your water. A good water test kit is essential for every aquarium keeper, especially during the first cycling weeks. It’s important to test daily to track your water parameters and catch problems early, like a stalling cycle with low pH or high nitrate levels. Remember to buy the kit with test tubes instead of paper strips, because strips are not accurate enough to trust for your axolotl’s safety.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Water
Start by filling your aquarium with conditioned tap water. To do this, purchase a water conditioner from your local Petco, PetSmart, or fish store. Follow the instructions on the bottle to condition the water. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.

Step 2: Set Up the Filter
Place the filter inside the tank and turn it on. This will keep the water moving and help the cycle begin.

Step 3: Add Bacteria Sources
Add seeded biological media or a pre-seeded sponge filter taken from an existing cycled tank. You should also add nitrifying bacteria to the tank according to the instructions on the bottle.

Step 4: Add Ammonia to Feed the Bacteria
Dose the tank water with 2–3 ppm of ammonium chloride. This gives the bacteria a constant supply of ammonia to stay alive. Your axolotl will produce food naturally later, but for now, you must introduce the ammonia yourself to kick off the nitrogen cycle. If you need help figuring out the right amount for your tank size and current concentration, use a helpful ammonia calculator.

Step 5: Run and Monitor the Cycle
Allow the tank to run for at least one week, and keep regularly dosing with ammonia. Use the API Freshwater Master Test Kit to start testing your water parameters daily. You’re aiming for optimal levels—don’t add more ammonia if the current levels are not going down.

Step 6: Watch for Cycle Progress
You’ll know your tank has begun to cycle properly when nitrites and nitrates appear. Nitrites will spike, then drop to zero, which is normal. It’s common to see ammonia fluctuate too. Your tank is fully cycled once nitrite (NO2) hits 0 ppm, and nitrate (NO3) stays between 5 and 20 ppm.

Step 7: Final Check and Ready for Axolotl
Once levels stabilize, you can stop adding ammonia. If not, stabilize the tank for another week and investigate any problems. Once everything looks good, you’re ready to add your pet! Visit our shop page, schedule an appointment, and meet our experts in person.

Method 2: Fishless Cycling

When I first tried cycling an aquarium, I chose the method called Fishless Cycling because it is perfect for beginners like me who may not have access to seeded media or sponge filters. This involved process does not harm any fish and gives you time to educate yourself about proper tank cycling. At first, it felt a bit hard to get accustomed to monitoring and maintaining the right water quality, but it became easier with practice. Watching my aquarium slowly build a safe environment over 4 weeks to 12 weeks, and sometimes even longer due to various factors, was truly rewarding.

This is the most important step for keeping an axolotl healthy, and I realized you should never rush the process. Giving the right time for beneficial bacteria to grow made a big difference in my axolotl’s life. Even though I wanted fast results, taking it slow helped me create a strong and stable tank that my axolotl happily calls home.

Materials

When I first prepared my tank for cycling, gathering the right materials made everything easier. To help you start strong, here’s a list of everything you’ll need for a safe and healthy setup:

• tank with a good filtration system based on trusted recommendations
  
• Liquid Ammonia Solution like Fritz Zyme Fishless Fuel to feed bacteria
  
• Water conditioner such as Prime to remove harmful chemicals
  
• API Freshwater Master Test Kit (choose the one with test tubes, not paper strips because paper strip tests can be inaccurate)
  
• pipette for collecting water, measuring ammonia, and checking measurements accurately in mL increments
  
• Fritz Aquatic Turbo Start for boosting beneficial bacteria growth
  
• Optional: a small aquarium heater of any kind or brand to help bacteria grow faster in warmer environments
  
• Make sure your aquarium becomes fully cycled before adding your axolotl or other livestock after dosing for the best results
  

Cycling Instructions

1. Start by filling your tank with fresh water. Add Prime according to the instructions written on the bottle. This will make the water safe for starting the cycle by removing harmful chemicals.
2.  Set up your filtration system properly. A good filter keeps the environment clean and supports healthy bacteria growth needed for cycling.
3. Use the API Freshwater Master Test Kit to test the water parameters. Make sure your pH level is between 7.4 – 7.6, and check that Ammonia is 0 ppm, Nitrite is 0 ppm, and Nitrate is 0 ppm at the beginning.
4. Keep a notebook to track your progress. Record the dates and results of your tests regularly. This helps if you later need advice from a team or an aquarium expert.
5. Open the liquid ammonia solution bottle carefully and measure the right amount to get 4 ppm ammonia. Pour it into the tank and let it mix for about 2-3 minutes. Do not add too much; a high concentration of ammonia can stall your cycle.
6. If you are unsure about how much ammonia to add, use the Ammonia Calculator. Enter your tank size and current concentration to get helpful dosing advice.
7. Add Turbo Start to the tank. Follow the correct dosage based on your ammonia level. This adds nitrifying bacteria which helps speed up the cycling process.
8. Leave the tank alone for 24 hours after adding the bacteria. Then, daily check the water. Monitor if the ammonia starts to drop and nitrite begins to rise. This shows that your cycle is beginning — Congratulations!
9. Measure how much ammonia is processed per day. This helps you see how fast the bacteria grow into large colonies that can handle waste properly.
10. After about a week or two weeks, you should notice a strong increase in nitrite. Once nitrite reaches 5 ppm, reduce the amount of ammonia you add, so the new concentration is only 2 ppm instead of 4.
11. As the bacteria convert nitrite into nitrate, you must closely monitor nitrate levels. Remember, nitrates are acidic, and if pH falls, it can stop the cycle.
12. Keep cycling until you reach undetectable levels of ammonia and nitrite, and your nitrate level is higher than 40 ppm. This means your tank is almost ready.
13. Finally, once you can add 4 ppm ammonia in the evening and after 24 hrs both ammonia and nitrite show 0 ppm, it is time to perform the 3 Dose Test to confirm your tank is fully cycled.

Testing with the 3 Dose Method

When starting with an Axolotl care guide, using the 3 Dose Test is a very helpful way to check if your tank is ready for your pet. First, you need to dose your water with enough ammonia to reach a concentration of 4 ppm. After 24 hours, you will test to see if the ammonia has dropped and if you notice nitrite levels rising. 

If the ammonia and nitrite both reach 0 ppm, it’s a good sign, but if not, you will need to repeat the process for two days until the nitrate starts to show up. This steady increase shows your tank is beginning to stabilize. Using an Ammonia Calculator can help in figuring out the current concentration, and if it’s too high, a water change will bring down levels safely. For example, if it rises above 5 ppm or 20 ppm, doing a 20% water change is best to correct it.

If the parameters are right, you continue to repeat step after each dosing and wait until you notice reduced ammonia and nitrite. Installing a heater can promote faster bacteria growth if needed. When levels are perfect, you can remove any leftover waste and safely add your axolotl. 

Make sure your axolotl is not fed immediately after transfer; give it some time to settle. Once everything matches the required balance, congratulations — your tank is cycled and ready! Always remember, tank size matters, and keeping an eye on the current concentration through regular testing is a part of good care.

Faqs

What is the fastest way to cycle an axolotl tank?

The most effective way to quickly cycle your aquarium is to use filter media from an already established tank. You can inquire at local pet shops to check if they sell established filters or extra filter media. Another smart option is asking around in local online groups where hobbyists often share materials to help new setups

Can you cycle an axolotl tank?

Cycling your axolotl tank is very important because it means treating the water in the aquarium to help healthy bacteria from lakes and ponds grow. Every time you feed your axolotl, its waste makes ammonia levels in the water increase, and if these ammonia levels get too high, it becomes toxic for your animal.

How long does it take to cycle a tank?

Cycling a fish tank usually takes an average of 4 to 8 weeks, and this time frame is very necessary for beneficial bacteria to fully colonize the tank. These bacteria help establish the nitrogen cycle, which safely converts toxic ammonia and nitrite into less harmful nitrate that keeps your axolotl healthy.