Question: Safe to leave lid off of aquarium?

[dazkeirle]

Hi all,

As the title says, is it safe to leave lid off of aquarium?

It's easier for me to keep the tank temperature lower with the lid off and a fan blowing on the water surface, however I'm paranoid of doing so when I'm at work in case the little fella has the ability to leap out of the water as it's only about 1 inch from the top of the tank.

Can axolotl leap out of the tank or am i safe to leave it open in these summer months?

 

[jclee]

I leave my tanks lidless in summer. I have read that axolotls can "leap" out of the tank, and although I've never seen it, I keep my water line at least an inch below the top to prevent any mishaps. I know that others keep their water even lower. I'm sure someone who's had an escapee in the past will chime in.

 

[ted22]

I had a near miss once when cleaning him out once he swam up so fast he launched out of the water, bounced off my chest and landed back in the water so might be a good idea to drop the level abit but by how much I dont know? (it could have been 2inches from the top and he still probably would have flew out the speed he was going!) But then you have the problem of less water and thatll be harder to keep cool! hmmm tough one, have you tried using a screen lid? ive read they are pretty much perfect for what you need! i want one but cant afford it need to get him a bigger tank first!

http://www.all-about-screen-doors.com/aquariumscreens.html

name says it all really! theres not alot on there but gives examples of what to look out for or something you could make!

 

[Azhael]

They can indeed jump out. The safest, most ideal thing to do is to have a mesh lid. It will guarantee excellent ventilation and no risk of scaping. You can make them yourself easily. I´ve made all of mine and never had an scapee...

 

[tomkeogh]

Yeah, just got to a wickes or b and q, get a roll of mesh, some garden wire and some right angle braces. bob's your mothers brother

 

[Jaymee]

I've had my lid of my tank for about 2 years now and the water level is about 1 inch away from over flowing. My axolotls never jump or swim that often to the surface. I honestly can't imagine any other axolotl doing so. I really wouldn't worry about it. And the temperature I don't understand why people are so fussy with it. If it goes any where over 25c / 77f then yeah it's a bit hot but it's fine just put a ice pack in it or a few frozen coke bottles in the water. no biggy

 

[michael]

The safest thing is a lid of some sort. Axolotls rarely jump. If they jump it is usually an indication of water quality or turbulence problems. I had about 2000 axolotls this year and had lids on none of them. None jumped out.

 

[Coastal Groovin]

There is always that one Axolotl that out does himself and makes it to the floor. I don't think its worth the risk when something as simple as a screen lid can stop it. I don't want to be the one in a million person that finds his axie dried up on the floor.