Foot/room traffic causing current in Axolotl tank

[krenae]

I've got a young, small, very lightweight Axolotl in a 20 gal long aquarium (filled to top with water), water parameters are good (PH=8.0, NH3=0, NO2=0, NO3=20 ppm, temp=68F), lighting is very low (minimal room/ambient lighting only), using (2) foam filters with very low pump setting, producing virtually no current. However, the tank is located in a central part of the home to be easily viewed & just walking past it creates enough movement in the water column to create a current that makes the little creature "sway, sitting in place". This is starting to show up on her gills, which are more forward-facing than when she arrived 2 wks ago. I'm concerned but don't know how to stop this from happening, wonder if anyone else has experienced this and/or have solutions, and if, as she grows and gains weight, this will resolve itself?

 

[Rhacodactylus1]

I've had this happen, not with axolotls, but mainly with Notophalmus, Eurycea and Desmognathus larvae. This seems like a shallow answer, but try to minimize traffic around the tank. I still walk carefully around Norbert's, my adult newt's, 6 gallon. A sturdy stand helps, too. If there isn't extreme movement around the tank, try checking the support if it's a bow-front or a rectangular framed tank. This is usually a flat, plastic bar extending across the midpoint of the aquarium top, on the aquarium rather than the hood. If this breaks and the tank is filled with water, the glass/plastic has the potential to crack or bust with the weight. If it is broken, either purchase a new frame or make another support yourself. Moving the aquarium may be another feasible solution, but it is more stressful to the axolotl. Hope I could help,
-Cade

 

[krenae]

Thank you for your reply!

The aquarium stand is sturdy, or maybe strong is a better word. It has 4 legs, so no solid bottom, which would be more "sturdy".

We did end up moving the tank and stand from the middle of the foyer to a corner in the foyer. Both walls that make up the corner are load-bearing, and we put a 1" thick solid pc of wood under the stand's legs to better distribute its weight. That took care of the "waves" in the aquarium, and Lilla MaGoo's slightly forward-facing gills have straightened out, gotten very full and "fuzzy", no further signs of stress. It's not as nice as the other spot for viewing and maintenance, but much better for the Axolotl and my worry factor.

However, you gave a new worry to take its place, regarding construction of the aquarium itself. It's a new tank, bought for this Axolotl a few months ago. There is no support bar anywhere on the tank, has never had one, didn't come with one.

It's a 20 long, all glass, typical black plastic frame around the top and bottom, no frame on the sides, silicone glue on all seams. It has what I believe is called a "floating bottom"? (The bottom does not touch whatever it is sitting on, only the frame does.)

It has a homemade cover of lightweight, clear plexiglass, 200 holes drilled into it for air circulation & heat dispensation. This cover was just added a few days ago to keep Lilla from going over and out during her long nightly swims ALL OVER THE TANK, including just below the water line.

In order to alleviate the scale that inevitably forms above the water line in our aquariums, I keep this 20 Long full to just below the lip all the time. Now I'm wondering if I should be worried about this tank breaking open under the stress and no center support? That would be VERY BAD, something I'd really like to avoid!

What do you think?

 

[Rhacodactylus1]

If it was constructed without a support bar, you shouldn't have to worry about it. I have a strict terrarium (a 55 gallon bowfront) that had the support broken off. If it was made without one, the aquarium should be safer than one made with one. Just my experience. Thanks for your patience and your effort to make your axolotl's life better.