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Help with keeping axolotl in decent temperatures?

willk7

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Hey! So my AC has broken and the area where my axie is is being affected, what I usually do when this happens is move him to a fridge and keep him there until the ac is fixed and the tank is back to normal. Basically I wanted to double check if this is ok and if I should change anything about how I move him back to the tank? He goes from a tupper wear container in the fridge to his tank but I let the container float above the water until the temperatures are the same. Is this too fast for him to where it would stress him out? Any help would be appreciated.
 

AMurry24537

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Hey! So my AC has broken and the area where my axie is is being affected, what I usually do when this happens is move him to a fridge and keep him there until the ac is fixed and the tank is back to normal. Basically I wanted to double check if this is ok and if I should change anything about how I move him back to the tank? He goes from a tupper wear container in the fridge to his tank but I let the container float above the water until the temperatures are the same. Is this too fast for him to where it would stress him out? Any help would be appreciated.
Fridging is generally reserved for emergency situations. Here are a few things that I'd recommend as options to try out first (in order of things to try):

1. Move the tank to the coolest, driest (in terms of humidity) room possible. Rooms on lower floors will be cooler. In fact, moving a tank even from a stand down to the floor can potentially help, since heat rises. A lack of humidity will help the water cool through evaporation.

2. To further help with evaporation, you can set up a fan that blows across the surface of the water.

3. Use a chiller. These can get expensive, but they really work. Ice probe chillers are a less expensive version (usually around $130), but they are not quite as effective (though still very helpful)

4. Freeze some small water bottles and pop them in as necessary. This is another urgent-situation-only option. It will cool the water by a few degrees for a short amount of time, but these sudden temperature changes can cause a lot of stress.

5. Again, I only use fridging as a last result. Your method of floating the tub sounds perfect! Ideally, the temperatures would be as close as possible to help make this change as smooth as possible.
 

willk7

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I see, do you have any resources or anything for how to move the tank? Currently he’s in my bedroom and I really wouldn’t want to move him but if I have to then I will.
 

AMurry24537

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I see, do you have any resources or anything for how to move the tank? Currently he’s in my bedroom and I really wouldn’t want to move him but if I have to then I will.
It kind of depends on your tank size/set up, but general rule of thumb is to temporarily tub your axolotl, empty the aquarium of all water and as much decor as possible, and then carry it (using the help of a friend or two) to wherever you need it to go.

Looking at my list again however, I noticed that I switched 1 and 2; I would definitely try the fan first, but moving it can always help.
 

willk7

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Understood, I think my friend had some aquarium fans I could potentially borrow. Also if I were to move the tank would this not disrupt the microsystem that eats ammonia and stuff?

Thank you for the help by the way, I really do appreciate it.
 

AMurry24537

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Understood, I think my friend had some aquarium fans I could potentially borrow. Also if I were to move the tank would this not disrupt the microsystem that eats ammonia and stuff?

Thank you for the help by the way, I really do appreciate it.
Moving the tank should not disrupt the ammonia cycle, no. The bacteria that eats ammonia and then nitrites primarily lives on the surfaces of objects inside the tank (especially the filter) such as sponges, rocks, glass, or other porous materials. There is some in the water itself, but this amount is negligible. If the cycle was only recently established or if you have concerns, you could use a siphon to put the water into buckets/smaller containers and then drag the water separately to the new location and re-add it to the aquarium. Basically, you do NOT want to move an aquarium that's full of water. Even a 10 gallon tank will weigh over 100 lbs and, since aquariums are just giant glass boxes, they're awkward to carry even when empty.
 

willk7

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Got it thank you!! This will probably happen to be honest since the ac where he is is so unstable in the summer. So, moving him like this and draining the tank completely is safe for him?
 

AMurry24537

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Got it thank you!! This will probably happen to be honest since the ac where he is is so unstable in the summer. So, moving him like this and draining the tank completely is safe for him?
I spent two years moving my axolotl back and forth between two locations around 3 or 4 times a year, which--while obviously not ideal--can definitely be done safely. To diminish stress as much as possible, keep your axolotl tubbed in a cool, dark space while you go through the process. Obviously, the quicker you can accomplish the move, the better, so plan carefully. If you need any more info, let me know 😁
 
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