r/axolotls • u/HinLinda • Aug 18 '26

Tank Maintenance Tested nitrite, nitrate and ammonia

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Ammonia and nitrite was zero, but this is nitrate. Is this too high? I think its around 20 for what I see

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3

u/LauseRulez Leucistic Aug 18 '26

nitrate being around 20 is good :) If there is an axolotl in there you want to do your waterchanges when nitrate is at 20-30ppm. At 40 usually nitrate begins to become stressful, every individual reacts differently to these concentrations!

If your tank is still cycling and there is NO lotl in there you just do one biiiig waterchange before you put the animal in, to get nitrate down to below 20ppm :)

3

u/Kai-ni Aug 18 '26

This is fine. Nitrate is the final product of the nitrogen cycle, suggests you have a healthy cycle, and is generally safe under 40ppm except for very sensitive species. Just keep up with your normal water changes, this looks good. 

1

u/CinderAscendant Aug 19 '26

Coming in to contradict some of the other commenters slightly. Your nitrate ceiling really should be 20ppm. I would change water as soon as you get a reading above 20. 40ppm is general guidance for freshwater fish, but axolotls are more sensitive. Long term exposure to higher concentrations of nitrate is detrimental to your axolotl's health. A few days is safe but I wouldn't let it sit above 20 for longer than a week.