What temperature should I recommend?

[Petersgirl]

Hey, guys.

I've been giving out advice on temperature and it seems that information has now changed. I was told anything from 18-22 degrees Celsius/62-72 degrees Farenheit was the ideal range, but now it seems people are aiming for 16-18 degrees as an ideal (60 - 62 degrees Farenheit), and anything below 20 degrees Celsius/66 degrees Farenheit as acceptable. I've also been told than anything above 24 degrees Celsius/74 degrees Farenheit is potentially damaging. As a result I'm wondering if anything between 20 - 24 degrees C/66 - 72 degrees F is actually acceptable?

By the by, my big tank is actually 23 degrees C/70 degrees F at the moment, until my chiller arrives on Tuesday. I'm wondering if my chiller can bring it down four degrees or even more.

So, what do you recommend? Is 23/70 too high? What's your 'ideal' range and your 'acceptable' range? Where did you get the info from and do you have personal experience with it?

Just hoping to update my knowledge. Thanks in advance!

 

[AxolotlChris]

The 16-18 degrees Celsius range comes from John Clare's Axolotl.org:
Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity

John says; "Temperatures above 24 °C (75 °F) are very stressful to axolotls. Such temperatures cause metabolism to increase (the rate at which the body "works"), and consequently, an increase in appetite. However, the stress resulting from more than a day or two of exposure to these temperatures will quickly lead to disease and death."

So 16-18 degrees Celsius seems to be the happy medium between the temperature being too cold and too hot; "Lower temperatures lead to sluggish behaviour, slower metabolism, and decreased appetite."

Higher temperatures also affect the immune system negatively.

I often say that its best to leave room for error, so if you cannot maintain a consistent temperature below 20 degrees Celsius it is best to invest in a chiller. Keeping a tank at 20 degrees Celsius or higher leaves no room for error in the event of temperature rises due to natural causes or central heating. It varies from country to country due to climate.

 

[auntiejude]

I recommend anything from 10-20C. Much over 20C and you're risking your axie's health.

 

[Donna001]

I use the same site for reference as Chis has posted, so I go with 16-18 as ideal. :happy:

 

[Petersgirl]

Thanks guys!

Chiller hopefully arrives at some point today, so fingers crossed my axxies will soon be in a much cooler environment (I've been trying to keep it down with water changes but they're just not practical in the long run, not to mention a bad idea for my cycle!)

Thanks for the new info! Will bear it in mind when advising.

 

[Petersgirl]

Tank is now at 16 degrees. Thank goodness for chillers!

 

[mewsie]

Blimey, I'm moving to St. Ives if your tank was sitting at 23!

 

[Petersgirl]

Hello Mewsie!

To be honest, I've no idea how the tank ever got to 23 degrees. I think it was because the T.V and games consoles warmed the room up. My hubby and I live in a single, small room so it's a lot of warmth for such a tiny space.

That and the tank's against the back wall so any heat is likely to hit there. The smaller tank in the room never goes higher than 20 degrees.