Advice please?

[Sugarcake263]

Hi, new member here.

Decided to join this after doing so many research about Axolotls…

I’m planning to get an Axolotl. But I need some advice please. All the aquarium store in my city, are trying to make me pay more? My friend who has a fish tank has spend around £100? But the seller there want me to pay over 250 to 300£ and I know Axolotl are different from fishes. If you guy could give me some advice I would truly appreciate that

How big does the fish tank has to be? The seller are saying I need 80cm to 200cm fish tank

But searching online it saying it’s fine if I get the 60cm fish tank

Do they need a chiller? Or is fine if I used the fan? I live in wales and right now it’s pretty cold in here

I have done many research on how to take care of the puppy, and what not to do I’m just stuck with the fish tank. As I need to buy the fish tank first let it cycle for a week before I bring the puppy home. I just don’t trust the seller in wales they saw how excited I got after seeing the Axolotls and when I ask the questions they end up saying that if I get the 60cm fish tank, it be too small and it will die. As they need more space or something. They even said that I would need a chiller which cost like 450£.

If you guys could help me out with it please. I’ve been wanting Axolotls for so long and decided to treat myself for early my birthday/ Xmas present

Thank you!

 

[wolfen]

axolotls ideally need a tank length which is double to double and half axolotl length, inch plus axolotl length for height and width (should be able to turn around without touching glass), the average length for adult axolotls is 9-12 inches so minimum length would be 24"/61cm (12" x 2) - 30"/76cm (length x 2 +1/2), 13"/33cm width/height, this would mean that the tank needs to hold at least 15Imp/18US - 18Imp/22US gallons of water.
bare in mind some axolotls grow a lot bigger than 12"/30cm (up to 18"/46cm) hence minimum length etc..
there is no maximum length or width for an axolotl tank although they are shallow water animals so no deeper than 39"/100cm.
the ideal water temperature should be 15°c/59°f-18°c/64°f (15°c/59°f being best) although they can tolerate some fluctuations, if the tank is kept in an area/room where it doesn't get too warm even in summer then a fan will suffice ie.. below 21°c/70°f, above 21°c/70°f a chiller or other means of cooling may be required.
cycling an axolotl tank will take longer than 1 week (can take months).

 

[Sugarcake263]

axolotls ideally need a tank length which is double to double and half axolotl length, inch plus axolotl length for height and width (should be able to turn around without touching glass), the average length for adult axolotls is 9-12 inches so minimum length would be 24"/61cm (12" x 2) - 30"/76cm (length x 2 +1/2), 13"/33cm width/height, this would mean that the tank needs to hold at least 15Imp/18US - 18Imp/22US gallons of water.
bare in mind some axolotls grow a lot bigger than 12"/30cm (up to 18"/46cm) hence minimum length etc..
there is no maximum length or width for an axolotl tank although they are shallow water animals so no deeper than 39"/100cm.
the ideal water temperature should be 15°c/59°f-18°c/64°f (15°c/59°f being best) although they can tolerate some fluctuations, if the tank is kept in an area/room where it doesn't get too warm even in summer then a fan will suffice ie.. below 21°c/70°f, above 21°c/70°f a chiller or other means of cooling may be required.
cycling an axolotl tank will take longer than 1 week (can take months).

Thank you so much for replying, Finally got a good advice! I planning to get 60cm as it has the full kits where I live. I don’t want to ask other sellers in the store as they give me more anxiety when I ask them a simple question. They did say it takes a week to cycle the tank I guess they were wrong. I will get the tank first and let it cycle it and buy Axolotl at the end.

 

[JM29]

Just to add a bit more about temperature :

My axolotls aquarium is in my garage (no heating, north exposition).
The aquarium is open (no lid), with light.
Living plants (Bacopa amplexicaulis) partly grow above water level and evaporate some water (which means I have to compensate).
This summer (in Brittany), we had temperatures up to 26-28°C.
The temperature in the garage never went above 20-21°C.
The water stayed at 18°C max, so no chiller needed.

 

[Sugarcake263]

Just to add a bit more about temperature :

My axolotls aquarium is in my garage (no heating, north exposition).
The aquarium is open (no lid), with light.
Living plants (Bacopa amplexicaulis) partly grow above water level and evaporate some water (which means I have to compensate).
This summer (in Brittany), we had temperatures up to 26-28°C.
The temperature in the garage never went above 20-21°C.
The water stayed at 18°C max, so no chiller needed.

As summer is coming to end in uk it’s hardly hot in here it been raining and windy pretty much all week, do they need light? I thought they prefer without light?
As I’m allergic to plant I can use a silk plant right? I’ve been doing a lot of research just want to make sure I got everything and understand everything before getting the Axolotl home after the cycling is done,

I appreciate your feedback!

 

[wolfen]

axolotls prefer to hide/rest/sleep during the day when they are adults so provided caves/hides etc.. are provided lights can be used to regulate the day/night rest pattern.
any fake plants used should be made for aquarium use and checked regularly for breakages as there have been instances of axolotls swallowing pieces of fake plants causing issues.

 

[JM29]

do they need light? I thought they prefer without light?

My living plants need light.
Since I've en lot of plants, and also wooden pieces, there are enough shady hiding places for the axolotls to rest when they want.

 

[Niels D]

Live plants make your life a lot easier when it comes to keeping axolotls (and every other newt species), especially Eleodea. I don't know what plants you're allergic to, but Eleodea doesn't need to be planted in the soil. Let it float and do wonders for the water balance.

 

[Sugarcake263]

Live plants make your life a lot easier when it comes to keeping axolotls (and every other newt species), especially Eleodea. I don't know what plants you're allergic to, but Eleodea doesn't need to be planted in the soil. Let it float and do wonders for the water balance.

I’m allergic to the smell, do eleodea makes the water green or smell like normal plants? Been looking for artificial plant but they more of plastic

 

[Niels D]

Eleodea doesn't make the water green as long as you keep your water parameters in check. They don't give a strong scent. If you have a really good nose, you can smell a peppery aroma.

 

[Sugarcake263]

Eleodea doesn't make the water green as long as you keep your water parameters in check. They don't give a strong scent. If you have a really good nose, you can smell a peppery aroma.

Thank you! Will get that then! Been looking for plants all of them are mostly made of plastic but reading how few of Axolotls had died because of it. Will definitely add that thank you I appreciate you answering

 

[Niels D]

I've kept axolotls for very long periods in bare bottom tanks filled only with pond snails and (a lot of) Eleodea using a small sponge filter. Really low maintenance, but of course you will need to keep on doing water changes. I'm now following the example of another experienced keeper who keeps them in his pond permanently. Size: 1x1x1 meter. Filled with Eleodea and Stratiotes aloides and pond snails. Works really well till now.