Do you (personally) use/need a chiller in an axolotl tank?

[krizzy]

Just trying to do as much research and get as many ideas as I can before I try to setup a tank for some axolotls.
I live in Texas, where 100 degrees F is a common day in the summer, and it's hard to keep the inside of the house cool, so I know I'll need something to keep the water cooler, but a chiller may just make my entire attempt impossible. Aside from the tank (and eventually the axolotls once everything's up and running properly), I have like $200 to spend, but I don't want ALL of it to go to a chiller.
Thanks.

 

[Shizeric]

If you don't have a cool enough place for the tank, a chiller is definitely necessary.

Cooling options can be found here: http://www.axolotl.org/requirements.htm#heat

 

[findi]

Hello,

Axolotls seem to vary in heat tolerance - most I've kept/bred fared best below 70 F, 58-62 F was ideal; some that I have set up in public exhibits do okay at 72E, but are delicate, become ill easil.

Here is a link to a small chiller(for tank up to 55 gallons in size) that is below the figure you mentioned. I can check details re operation in your home environment (average summer temps) if need be,

Best, Frank

 

[krizzy]

I appreciate the help, but the link was broken. :x
My room is currently 80 degrees, but I'm thinking I maaay be able to get the temp in the aquarium down to 65 without an actual chiller. in the process of preparing the (second hand) tank to be filled, then i plan to cycle for a week or two (and this is when most of my experimentation with the temperature will happen, obviously if I can't get it low enough, I'll go for the chiller), then order my axys. I'm sooooooo excited! <3

 

[merk199]

No chiller but do you have AC?

Do you have a basement? The basement has been the easiest solution for me.

Look for a local online Reefer club in the for sale forums. They are constantly jumping in the hobby and then liquidating everything. Some Texas clubs:
ETR Discussion Board (Powered by Invision Power Board)

MAAST Forums

nationwide club:

reefcentral.com

 

[krizzy]

Yeah, we have central AC, and with that on my room is currently 79 degrees, but it'll go up a few later in the day.
Basements are rare in Texas, so no. :[

The sale forum idea is great though! I definitely would not have though of that! I will continue to scour them for the next few weeks for something in my budget. :]



I am going to incorporate as many of the ideas on this link as I can, and see what I can get the temp to. (Screen lid, 2 fans, and styrofoam insulation on the bottom and back at the very least.)

I'm also going to incorporate something like this, since it makes so much sense and has worked out really well for a lot of people. I actually really can't wait to try these things out, and see how much of a difference it can all make when put together. It is the week before exams though, so I won't be able to begin putting my tank together until either this weekend or after everything's over next week, but I will definitely let everyone know if it works out! We'll never have to buy chillers again! (Obviously I am really hopeful about this, haha.)
But really, if anyone else has used several different tricks or methods together, let me know how it went!!

 

[krizzy]

Oh! Also, if anyone could give me quite a bit more detail on using a water cooler (example #7 on the first link in my above post) I would reeeally appreciate it. That's something a lot more affordable for me, and I'd do it in a heartbeat if I had some help/it really works.

Thanks. :]

 

[electronfusion]

Good question. I'm going to have to consider cooling myself in a few months. I bought my first axolotl around the end of last summer, and cooled his tank with a fan and frozen water bottles kept on a platform above water level that would drip condensation into it. That cooled my tank from 78F to around 75F - still not ideal. I almost took him back to the pet store, but when I spoke to the people there, they said they keep the entire shop between 80F and 85F all the time, with nothing to cool the axolotls below that. Mudkip got through last summer without any signs of stress, but things probably could have been better.

Now I've got 4 axolotls. A little overboard? Well, maybe. :lol:

I've been looking at wine coolers, which are less expensive and ?maybe? more efficient than aquarium chillers. Basically they're like mini-fridges but with a big, clear window in front, and more exact temperature controls. They're the perfect size, but still around $100 to $200 and I assume they're air-tight. I wonder how often one would need to be opened so they get enough air? And how much would efficiency be lowered if I pushed a straw or thin tube through the rubber seal? Gotta work out those issues and the price.

 

[krizzy]

Ahhh! This is an amazing thread, EXACTLY what I was looking for!
I am going to do this, combined with a few other tricks, and see how things go.
I am almost certain this will work, and it can be done for cheaper than the wine cooler idea.

This one's only 60 bucks atm! I don't know if it matters that the one he originally used had compressor cooling technology or not though, because the one I just linked uses thermoelectric technology... If anyone knows if it makes a difference, please let us know! :3

 

[Linus]

How'd this work out for you Krizzy?

 

[jclee]

I'm able to keep temps at or below 71 in the summer through a combo of (1) air conditioning in the same room their tanks are in (2) un-lidded tanks, and (3) fans pointed at the surface of the water. Of course, I live in New England, so I don't know if that helps you any, but it might work out if your air conditioning is pretty effective. I don't know if it would be worth a shot to try, and have a chiller in mind to ship overnight if it's not working. (And maybe use ice-cube tricks until it comes?)