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Axolotl Tank Supplies Australia

Cycling a new tank takes four to eight weeks and it is the step that catches out almost every first time keeper. A seeded filter is the one legitimate way to shorten it.

2 products available, from $70 AUD. We ship across Australia, including Sydney, Perth, Melbourne. Also see axolotls for sale in Australia.

Seeded Cycled Sponge Filter, Rated to 75 Litres

A sponge filter that has already been running in an established system, so the bacteria that process ammonia and nitrite are already living in the media. Drop it into a new tank and you start with the biology in place instead of waiting four to eight weeks for it to build. The sponge ships in a bag of tank water to keep the colony alive in transit. Filter only, no air line or pump included. Rated to about 75 litres.

$70 AUD Enquire

Seeded Cycled Sponge Filter, Rated to 220 Litres

The larger seeded sponge filter, rated to about 220 litres, for a bigger tank or for two animals. Same principle as the smaller unit: the bacterial colony is already established in the media, so cycling is shortened rather than started from scratch. Ships in a bag of tank water. Filter only, no air line or pump included. Baffle the outflow, axolotls dislike current.

$100 AUD Enquire

What a seeded filter does

A new aquarium cannot process waste. Building the bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate takes four to eight weeks, and an axolotl put into a tank before that is finished is sitting in its own ammonia. It is the leading cause of death in a first axolotl.

A seeded filter is one that has already been running in an established system, so those bacterial colonies are already living in the media. Drop it into a new tank and you are starting with the biology in place rather than waiting for it to build.

Two honest caveats. It shortens the wait, it does not remove it, so still test before adding an animal. And the bacteria need feeding continuously from the moment they arrive, so have an ammonia source ready or the colony starves before your axolotl gets there.

Sizing

Match the filter to the tank rather than to the animal. The smaller unit suits a tank around 75 litres, the larger suits up to about 220 litres. Whichever you choose, baffle the outflow. Axolotls come from still canals and a strong current keeps them pinned in a corner and stressed.

Full detail on the whole build, including substrate, cooling and what everything costs, is in the axolotl tank setup guide.

Axolotl Tank Supplies Australia questions

Does a seeded filter skip cycling?

It shortens the wait, it does not remove it. The bacterial colony is already established in the media, but you still need to test ammonia and nitrite and confirm both read zero before an animal goes in.

How do I keep a seeded filter alive before setup?

The bacteria need an ammonia source continuously from the moment the filter arrives. Set the tank up and start dosing straight away, or the colony starves and you are back to cycling from scratch.

What size filter does an axolotl tank need?

Match it to the tank volume, not the animal, and always baffle the outflow. Axolotls hate current, so a filter rated well above your tank is fine as long as you slow the flow down.

More for your axolotl tank

Also in store: aquarium plants, axolotl food. Everything ships across Australia, to Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and every other mainland address.

Setting a tank up from scratch? Start with the axolotl tank setup guide, then browse axolotls for sale in Australia.

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