Question: College? and other newbie questions

[Icenado]

I'm starting my second year of college in a few weeks and greatly missed my pets the first two semesters. :[ I've been thinking about getting a pet for my dorm room, but my university only lets me keep aquatic pets. Fish are so... uninteresting. I've always had a soft spot for axolotls and have been looking into owning one and they seem relatively easy! I have a handful of questions, though, to find out if I am even able to keep one as a pet in my dorm conditions.

It's a good five hour drive to my university from my home, and I'd have to take him home during major breaks (Christmas, Thanksgiving, and spring break.) Do axolotl fair well on car trips past the initial shipping? The road goes into the foothills/small mountains, but there isn't much stop-and-go traffic until I get to the town where I live. Also, if moving them thrice a year is okay, how does one go about properly prepping an axolotl for a car ride?

If I were to get an axolotl, how often would I have to feed it? I know what to feed it and why, just not when!

I know axolotl thrive in cooler water, but is it okay if the water they're in is in the upper temp range (about 73-75F)? I don't want him to get sick because our dorms are too hot (we don't have AC.) Are there any cheap ways to cool a tank for the month of warm weather I have once school starts? I've read about using ice on axolotl.org, but our freezer is kind of really, terribly bad at keeping things frozen and was hoping there was another way!

What kind of filter is best for an axolotl tank? I know there are different grades and strengths but I don't know much about them at all, especially not which one to buy. Also, what kind of substrate is best in terms of tank cleanliness?

I'm a little confused on the water thing... can someone kind of give me a walkthrough on how to do a water change (and/or how to start a tank)? I've never had an aquatic pet and have read "do a 20% water change" all over, but I'm not sure what exactly that entails. :|

I think that's it for now. Thank you!

--Icee

EDIT: Okay, so I've been digging around the forums (I'm an "ask questions first" kind of person) and found some answers to my questions on my own. :] I now know how and why I need to cycle a tank first! I think I will get to school, create/cycle a tank, and then get my axolotl--which should alleviate the temperature issues I may have. I've read upon substrates too and think I will use sand and a few large rocks. But, the crucial question is how well the little guys travel! If I can't bring it home, I can't have it. So, a condensed question list:

How well do axolotl handle car trips?
-How do I prep an axolotl for a car ride?
Is it okay to keep them in water at the upper edges of their temp range?
How often do I feed them?
What kind of filter works best in your experience?
How do I do a water change, step-by-step (preferably)?

[Amanda]

I actually started looking into axolotls for the same reason -- non-fish dorm companions. :)
I'm a new owner, so I don't feel like I can give you as thorough advice as some of the more experienced people here. Setting your tank near the ground (say, on a surface that IS on the ground) would help keep it cooler, and setting up a fan to blow across the surface of the water. That temperature range will probably be stressful to them if they have to stay in that temp for more than a couple of days, from what I've read.

Don't know anything about axie travel, though.

Water change -- you get one of those siphon-tube things...either you have to submerge it all the way to fill it with water, or (the weird way that I find easier) suck water up into it until it's almost to the end...then direct the tube into a bucket or something that can catch the water. You can probably estimate 10-20% of the tank, easier if you know the size of the bucket. (i.e. I have a 5 gallon bucket, so I fill it up until it looks between 1/5 and 2/5 full). Then just pull out the end of the tube that's in the tank, and let the rest of the water fall into the bucket. Replace the removed water with treated (dechlorinated, etc.) water, preferably water that's been sitting near the tank for some time (so it's the same temp as the tank water and won't be a shock to your lotls! -- usually I prepare my water at least a day in advance). Erm, is that what you were looking for?

[Amanda]

Oh! And for how often you feed them. That depends on their age. When they're really young, you feed them more often (I feed my 4" guys about every other day, maybe if they're 3" or less you'd go for smaller amounts every day? but I'm not sure -- and then when they're older, maybe every 2 or 3 days, twice a week...). But if all else fails, go with how they look...well, I mean, their bodies should be about as wide as their heads. So if they're not, feed them...and if they look nice and plump, maybe wait. Browse some pictures of axolotls and you can get a good idea of what looks like a healthy vs. unhealthy weight.
Again, I'm a newbie...tons of experienced owners around here who can probably give you more detailed information.

(Welcome to the forum, by the way!!)

[Icenado]

Yes, something like that is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you. I'm glad I'm not the only dorm bum with a love for axolotls. Most people I've met at school have never heard of them, or thought they were a mystical creature, or something. Any firsthand advice is useful, though! Thanks again for your reply.

(I was so excited about getting my questions answered I totally forgot to introduce myself. Whoops! I think I'll be around for a while. :3 I'm glad I found this place!)

[Rayson]

Hi icenado,

How well do axolotl handle car trips?

Axies do not like strong water currents and vibrations. In general, bumpy car trips will be relatively stressful to them, particularly if the weather is warm.

Short trips should be ok. With ample preparation (esky, suitable receptacel, spare cool dechlorinated water/ ice bucket etc) and route planning, longer trips can still be done. Very young or very old axies can be more susceptible to stress. Healthy young adult axies will do better on long car trips.

-How do I prep an axolotl for a car ride?

Plan your route to avoid bumpy terrain and if possible the fastest way to get to your destination.

I recommend transporting the axie alone in an esky/cooler. Prepare bottles of spare clean dechlorinated cool water in case of spills. Carry the tank/filter/acessories separately. Do not transport the axie in the main tank. You may like a seperate esky for ice cubes. You can prepare these ice cubes with dechlorinated clean water. To cool down the water in excessive heat, you can pop a couple these ice cubes in the esky with the axie. Make sure you have a secure lid on the esky. Rags and paper towels always come in handy.

Is it okay to keep them in water at the upper edges of their temp range?

Not advisable. Axies do best in stable cool temperature. Some axies can still get stressed and get sick when housed at the upper limits of acceptable temperature for prolonged periods. Fluctuations can also cause stress and illness. In a dorm setting, you may like to cool your tank by placing a small clip on fan blowing across the water surface of your tank to increase evaporation.

What kind of filter works best in your experience?

For small tanks in a dorm, mini external canister filters or a waterfall type hang on filter works well.

How often do I feed them?
How do I do a water change, step-by-step (preferably)?

Already well answered.

Despite the appeal of keeping axies, i still recommend you consider carefully. Although still possible, it might be very inconvenient for you and may not be the best arrangement for your axie. Factors to consider include the frequency of shuttling the axie to and fro from home during semestral breaks, the practicality of performing water changes, storing axie food (earthworms/frozen bloodworms, keeping the tank cool enough and other social factors.

Cheers.

[big a little a]

Hi Icee

All your questions appear to have been well answered already - one small thing I would like to add for your consideration when buying a filter - if the tank is going to be in your bedroom, you need to realistically consider whether you will be able to sleep over the noise of it (and look into getting a quiet filter), as the filter needs to be on 24/7 to do it's job properly.

The filter I use just quietly hums in the backround, but I still don't think I could have it in my bedroom as I like silence when I'm getting to sleep.

Zoe x

[Icenado]

Rayson, thanks for your reply. I contacted the vendor I'm looking into buying from (http://www.buy-axolotls.com/) and they gave me more tips for taking the little guys with me.

QUOTE: "Easiest thing to do is to use all the packing material you get when you purchase from http://www.buy-axolotls.com. If you don’t have it then used a insulated stryo box and padded (shipping peanuts) so that the bag does not move around. Also use cold packs to keep the Temperature down. Also bag each Axolotl individually with plenty of air this will minimize stress to the Axolotl."

The fan is a good idea, and I think the floor thing will work nicely. I'm going to contact my Residence Life center and find out what temperature the heat is set to in the winter. Even if taking him there seems more doable now, I don't want the poor fella to live in perpetual heat once the ride is over. It's times like these I wish I had already taken my thermodynamics/refrigeration classes, so I might know how much a fan would cool the tank!

I've considered the inconvenience for me and determined it will probably be worth it in the end. My roommate is okay (and even excited!) about getting an axolotl, and I already mentioned the food thing to her. We're both fine with keeping worms and things in the fridge, fortunately. I'm still trying to work out whether it will be inconvenient for my critter though. It's looking more and more doable every time I find out more information. Right now, I'm hoping my room feels a lot hotter than it actually is! (When it's 20 degrees outside, even 70 can feel HOT.)

Zoe, thanks for mentioning the filter noise issue. I actually sleep better with that sort of noise in the background because my house is by a busy street, but I'll ask my roommate about it. I figure it can't be any worse than the fans we have running. :]

[Icenado]

After doing some research about the temperature conditions of my dorm, I've concluded that I can't take care of an axolotl as long as I'm in a cramped, too-hot room. This makes me sad, but I'm very glad to have learned as much as I have these past 48 hours and will certainly be prepared for when I CAN have an axolotl (hopefully one I won't have to cart around!) Thanks again for all your help, everyone. :]

[blabberwort]

It's a shame your not able to have an axolotl, but i commend your responsible attitude. So many people nowadays just see something they want with no thought to the welfare of the animal. A refreshing change that your not one of them

[coichards]

Sorry I stole your post but I looked at the link: http://www.buy-axolotls.com and saw the prices of some of their axolotls: $99

I am ussuming this is in USD and I was wondering if anyone thought this was a little steep.

I am not dissing the site or intentionally trying to say anything bad about it.

Just thought I would ask about prices people have paid for their axies.

For the record I paid $18 dollars (australian) for mine.

[Clairey]

I was just looking at the price list too, i think this is way steep a price for an axie. Even for a rare piebald/harlequin axie that would be expensive. I paid £18 (GBP) for my leucistic and wildtype and £15 (before postage was added) for my golden albino.

[Greg31]

Yeah, I am going on my 3rd year at college and have my own room in a motel style dorm at my school. My only concern is how i will be doing the water changes. Guess i will have to treat my water somehow?

[Eva]

Originally Posted by Greg31

Guess i will have to treat my water somehow?

If you have chlorine in the water, you can just let the water sit a bit before adding it to the tanks (like, fill some buckets and leave them in the bathroom overnight). From what I hear it is also sufficient to spray the water into a container, like using the shower head to fill a bucket. My grandma used to just beat the water with a whisk first..

If you have chloramines in the water, you will need a dechlorinator, which you can get at any pet shop.

To find out what your water contains, you can call your water supply company or visit their website.

Or have I musunderstood the question?

-Eva

[Greg31]

Great reply thanks!