New Axolotl not eating much

[kaijor]

Hello,

I just got an Axolotl about a little less than a week ago. I've tested all the parameters and all look good. I think maybe my ammonia is just a bit high at around 0.25 PPM. I think this should clear up soon. The temperatures are fine as well. They are around 67 degree F. Although, the little guy won't each much. At the moment, I'm feeding him earthworms since that is what the breeder fed him. He also fed him black worms so I'll be feeding him those as soon as they are shipped to me. Does anyone know what might be the problem? Am I being too much of a worry wart? Any input would be much appreciated. I really want the Axolotl to be healthy.

 

[wolfen]

provided your tank is cycled and at a good ph (ideal 7.4 - 7.6, tolerant 6.5 - 8) and a good temperature (around 62°f, your temp is just on the boarder of ideal, ideal temp is 59°f - 64.4°f, tolerant range is 39.2°f - 75.2°f) the ammonia will be relatively harmless (ideal 0ppm, tolerant 2ppm), it is the nitrites that can be more harmful (ideal 0ppm, tolerant 0.5ppm) in a cold water aquarium. axolotls are mainly a nocturnal animal and will be more active at night, this also includes eating. axolotls are carnivores and require a meat diet, this can be... live food - worms( bloodworm, earthworm, banana worm etc..), shrimp (mysis, river, cherry etc..), fish (live bearers ie.. guppies, mollys, platys etc..), frozen food (worms, shrimp, fish, prawns, molluscs etc..), also dried/processed ie.. pellets.

 

[kaijor]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention Nitrates and PH. The PH is 7 (might be 7.2) and nitrates are 0. I am trying to bring down the temperature a bit as well. Do you have any suggestions on that? This is the only thing that I can think of that might be causing Axolotl to not eat since everything else seems fine. Currently, I'm using a clip on fan pointed at the filter, but the temperature isn't going down too much.

Edit: I also have the tank closer to floor (not touching the floor) since heat rises so I thought this would make it cooler.
Edit2: Nitrites are at zero as well. I forgot to mention that. My bad.

 

[wolfen]

has the tank been cycled? nitrates are low for a cycled tank.
Have the fan blowing of the tank waters surface (not pointed directly at it but at an angle) the idea is to cause evaporation which in turn cools the water down.
There are numerous ways to cool a tank down from using chillers to using ice bottles.
Also insulating the tank will help stop it from warming up because of ambient room temperature.
I use fans, insulation and an old fridge freezer (coiled piping in a large container of water in the fridge and frozen axie food in the freezer) and don't have any concerns with temperature even though the house is kept to 25°c or higher.
The insulation is polystyrene panels on the sides, base and back.

 

[kaijor]

Oh wow, I might try to insulate it more. Also, I had a lid on the tank but then removed it. Do you have a fan that goes underneath the lid? Could you link me the panels you used?

 

[wolfen]

Oh wow, I might try to insulate it more. Also, I had a lid on the tank but then removed it. Do you have a fan that goes underneath the lid? Could you link me the panels you used?

the fan is under the lid, you have to make sure there is ventilation to allow air in and out. the panels are just standard expanded polystyrene foam packing sheets cut to size (cheap but effective) should be plenty on ebay etc

 

[kaijor]

Awesome, thank you. Also, what fan do you use?

 

[kaijor]

Here is my current set-up

 

[Bassetbabe06]

Hello,

I just got an Axolotl about a little less than a week ago. I've tested all the parameters and all look good. I think maybe my ammonia is just a bit high at around 0.25 PPM. I think this should clear up soon. The temperatures are fine as well. They are around 67 degree F. Although, the little guy won't each much. At the moment, I'm feeding him earthworms since that is what the breeder fed him. He also fed him black worms so I'll be feeding him those as soon as they are shipped to me. Does anyone know what might be the problem? Am I being too much of a worry wart? Any input would be much appreciated. I really want the Axolotl to be healthy.

Following.

 

[wolfen]

Awesome, thank you. Also, what fan do you use?

I just use a box standard aquarium fan. small enough to fit and simply enough to repair if any of the fans seize up (fans are the same as are used with cpu cooling)

 

[wolfen]

looking at the picture, if you have the fan blowing from the front towards the hob instead of the side you should get better cooling

 

[kaijor]

Oh ok, I'll try that.