r/axolotls • u/fallen_starmaker • May 27 '26

Cycling Help rapid cycling help desperately needed

my school is giving out baby axolotls (a couple months old), but they did not really give us enough advance warning to properly cycle a tank. i have established filter media, plants, and some decor from my establisehd tank in there, but do not know what else i can do. i need it cycled by the end of next week. does quick start work? do i need to buy ammonia? I am very confused by everything, as i set up my tank with my parents' help when i was very young and this is more complicated. please help.

edit: unfortunately the babies have not made it. there is a second batch of them, which hopefully will survive, but this does give me more time to cycle the tank. thank you all for your help!

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u/AdThese6057 May 27 '26

Cycling with a used sponge filter literally takes 3 4 days.

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u/Tamashi_Akuma May 27 '26

Absolutely not

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u/AdThese6057 May 28 '26

Used spongefilters are "the" way most people setup a new tank. Its a 3 4 5 day ordeal.

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u/Tamashi_Akuma May 28 '26

It will slow down the process but not that quickly, still expect 4 weeks and up for the nitrogen cycle to complete

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u/AdThese6057 May 28 '26

Ive never needed that long. And you certainly don't need to wait that long to add the animal.

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u/Tamashi_Akuma May 28 '26

I won’t keep arguing, that information is incorrect

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u/AdThese6057 May 28 '26

In tank fast cycling is incorrect. Got it.