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Full Tank Log
· 23 entriesUpdate
Poop Status
Not much to report, just noting the weekly water change along with another healthy poop scoop. Pep isn't spitting now that I'm cutting the worms. This makes the quantity and frequency of his meals much more consistent. Early on, I was worried about c…
Update
Weekend Update
Weekly water change is done. Quick clean up included a large healthy looking poop and a whole lot of baby java ferns. Nitrate is reading 0 today. Curious to see if its a one-off or maybe the frog bit and fern growth is responsible? Other parameters a…
Observation
Not Leucistic. GFP Leucistic!
Pep lives in our oddly shaped bathroom. Important, because this led to a wild discovery! We keep a waterproof LED lamp in the room to provide soft lighting that won't startle the resident salamander. Usually, it's set to a dim green hue but tonight I…
Solution
Lots Doin'
Last week I noticed the temperature creeping very slightly higher. I'd been nudging the chiller a half a degree cooler and then another to maintain 64 degrees. Took way too long but it finally occured to me to clean the pump which had gotten all kind…
Update
Feeding
Pep ate a whole nightcrawler tonight, cut into small pieces. Piece size seems to be the key to getting him to eat the full portion.
Trim & reshape
Water Change and Trim
Low but extant ammonia reading this morning. Cause is likely new frogbit acclimating and the submerged original leaves beginning to melt. Did a 40% change today (rather than 30%) and trimmed any softening growth on the plants. There are a lot of new…
Observation
Pep Pooped 💩
Noted poops Monday (9/14) and this morning. Just tracking ins and outs (when I see 'em) as Pep can be a picky eater.
Update
A Couple Small Additions
Pulled the quarantined frogbit and added it to the tank following today's water change. Floated a pair of airline tube corrals to keep the frogbit away from the pumps. We anchored our java fern babies to the existing hardscape and a new, boiled piece…
Update
Big Relief!
The blob on Pep's gill fell off yesterday! Pulled the thing and put it under the microscope. Looks very much like a fuzzy blob of fungus. The ostracods were all over it. Gills look great tonight though AND Pep ate like normal, eating a whole worm aft…
Problem
Weird Spot Not Going Away 😠
The round white spot on the tip of Pep's lower left gill stalk is still here. Hasn't changed size, if anything it swelled slightly and got smaller, which I think is a good thing. Regardless, I hate it. Water parameters are as good as it gets. I don't…
Update
Saturday Water Change
Water change completed and my plant room gets a good tank water soak. Frogbit is rinsed and resting in quarantine. Pulled the java fern babies that were floating loose in the tank. I'll anchor those this weekend. Bought a new batch of nightcrawlers.…
Update
Frogbit is Here
The American frogbit we ordered is here, huge, and healthy! Doing a 24 hour alum soak, after which we'll quarantine in Saturday's tank water. Don't want snails in the axolotl tank! Noticed some lightening on one of Pep's gill stalks. Looks like it co…
Update
Feeding
Pep ate half a worm and refused the rest. Still working on an ideal feeding protocol. Going to try sinking a small sterile bowl and placing the remaining worm bite there. Could be a good method for the occasional pellet or black soldier fly treat if…
Update
Feeding
Pep ate one large nightcrawler today. No hesitation this time, even did a little hop-float to get after it. We love this weird little guy. 💛
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Observation
Pep's a Boy?!
During today's poop clean up, we noticed clear to white gelatinous masses in Pep's tank. Concerned that it could be fungus, we did some googling and I believe these are spermatophores! Cloaca bulge and tail length support this, I think. What a cool s…
Observation
Microfauna
Noted increasing numbers of ostracods, occasional free-swimming nematodes, and (I think) copepods, between water changes. Planning to bring a sample in to the lab to view it under the microscope. Curious to see exactly who's swimming around in there…
Update
Water Change and Filter Clean
Noticed reduced flow from the smaller filter. Took the opportunity with today's water change to rinse the sponge in old tank water. Will be alternating any filter cleans to preserve bacteria.
Update
Feeding
Fed Pep one whole nightcrawler.
Update
First Week with Pep
Fed Pep successfully two times since the first failed attempt. Cutting the worm in half seems to prevent spitting. Today we ordered some American frogbit (Limnobium spongia) to eat up that last bit of nitrate and provide additional cover. Taking week…
Milestone
Pep Ate a Worm
Key moment
First meal after the move. 🪱🥳
Update
First Feeding Attempt
Attempted Pep's first nightcrawler feeding yesterday. Used tongs but the worm wriggled free and made its way straight into her hide — she retreated and seemed startled. Removed the worm and gave her time to settle. Will try again this evening.
Update
Pep's First Night
Pep had a busy first night in her new home — she was all over the tank after dark, exploring and pushing things around. Caught her gulping at the surface a couple of times, which from what I understand is normal buoyancy behavior. Woke up this mornin…
Milestone
Pep's New Home
Key moment
Took over care of Pep and her tank today. My friend helped with the move and setup this morning — chiller holding steady at 64°F, parameters testing clean post-setup (pH 8, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 0). Keeping the lights dim and the room quiet w…