Axies in Brisbane

mthom211 · Apr 22, 2011

Hi everybody,

I am very very keen to get myself at least one axie, however I live in a sub-tropical climate (Brisbane) and it gets very hot in summer. I'm wanting to know if anybody in my area keeps axies and what they do in summer, I'm not sure if I will be able to afford a chiller by this Summer as I am still at school. I think this problem is the only thing wrong with Brissie fish wise. We ate all awesome here B)

also, the tank I want to get would hopefully be 4x18x18 divided into 3 equal parts. How many axies could I keep in one section?

Cheers.

Shizeric · Apr 22, 2011

mthom211 said:
4x18x18 divided

I think you either forgot a digit or a unit of measurement in there.

dragonlady · Apr 22, 2011

In addition to Eric, why do you have it divided? If you get sub-adults, to adults you won't want this tank divided. they need room to move around.

If this measurement is in feet, you could put 4 in there quite comfortably without dividers.

To address your cooling issues, a chiller would be your best bet but have a look here - Caudata Culture Articles - Cooling

Lastly, please don't put axolotls in the same category as fish...they're really awesome amphibians!

Colinna · Apr 22, 2011

I also live in Brisbane. I use frozen bottles of water to help keep the water temp down. However, I plan on getting a chiller before next summer as the temp still didn't get down to the optimum temp for Axi's. Also, make sure the tank is against an internal wall and not an external one. You don't want the tank against any wall that will heat up with the sun.

I would ditch the dividers in the tank if you can. I have two Axi's in a 3 foot tank, no dividers, and they wander all over it.

mthom211 · Apr 22, 2011

Sorry, yes it is 4 feet, 120x45x45 hopefully. The reason I want to divide it is because I am only aloud 3 tanks, I also breed bettas so the other 2 sections are breeding tanks for them. I would love to let them have the whole tank but I couldn't keep my other hobby then

I'm starting to save up for a halai (spelling?) from guppies, I might be able to get it for Christmas aswell. That leaves the first few warm months without one though. I will check out that link in a sec

thanks.

Kaysie · Apr 22, 2011

That type of setup won't work. Axolotls and bettas have totally different temperature requirements.

mthom211 · Apr 22, 2011

They won't be sharing water, it will be like 3 different tanks but it will only count as one. Oh and I will need to insulate the glass where the two tanks meet I think...

Blaze · Apr 24, 2011

I live in Brissie and I have to say you'll find it VERY hard tokeep a happy healthy axolotl without a chiller. Be warned though, because of our humid temperature and the cold temperature of the tank you will get condensation. My tank condeses 5-10 cups of water per day and I am getting a custom tank stand made with a gutter and rubber matting because the water seeps through your stands.

Minniechild · Apr 24, 2011

From across the border: G'day!
For me this summer my toolkit included: the biggest fan I could find, a younger sibling who could happily change over water bottles every forty five minutes (About how long they last before they defrost), and a smaller tank that was moved out into a continuously air-conditioned room when the temperature went above thirty three. I'd also suggest going out and buying a large box of Chunky's ears-they make a fantastic quarantine box for if you can't get the temps below 23 and staying there and you need to move your babies into the fridge.
And fingers crossed you can get your chiller (perhaps use betta baby funds?)

mewsie · Apr 24, 2011

Goodness, that sounds like a plan fraught with problems!

I don't really know much about bettas, so can't really comment, but from what i hear from our Aussie friends, it takes effort and investment and dedication to axolotlkind as it is, without having adjacent tanks at different temperatures to make it more complicated!

iChris · Apr 25, 2011

I had a battle keeping my tank below 20 in summer (I'm from perth) and our summers are long and hot lasting through to early april, but a dry heat so we don't get the condensation as much, but the tank evaporates fast, so couple that with a fan and a airstone, I was able to get drops of about 4 degrees, but it was still not enough, my axie spent some time in the beer fridge surrounded by bottles of coronas and beez neez.

she liked it in the fridge, the only problem was that the beer fridge had to be turned up, so the beer was not as cold as I would have liked, but it was never there long anyway

Colinna · Apr 25, 2011

LOL @ Chris!!

I used a fan on my tank, kept the lids off as well and reduced the light time. I did notice I got a lot of dust and debris into the tank with the fan blowing on it and the lids off, but at least it did help with the temp.

shells · Apr 26, 2011

Hi,
And good luck with your new additions.
Im with Blaze on this one... I live in Brisbane also... a chiller will make your life and your axies so much less stressful.. and condensation IS an issue, I wish I'd thought about it before setting my tank up!!

callina · Apr 26, 2011

Besides the problems to cool the water down, I think a 30*45*45cm part of the tank is too small for axies.

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Axies in Brisbane

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