Could I keep the water cool enough?

[Ivyna J Spyder]

I'm quite interested in getting an axolotl, but one thing concerns me. I'm not sure if I would be able to get the water cool enough in the summer. Typically my room will be about 78-80F in the summer months. I like it warm, and most of my other pets like it warm, but axxies don't :T

I've read about chillers and ice packs and such, but would I be able to keep the water 10+ degrees cooler at all times with those methods? Or is it sort of risky?

 

[Kaysie]

The best way to consistently cool the water is to purchase a chiller, but they're righteously expensive. Using things like ice packs and things require practically constant attention.

Is there a cooler place in the house you can keep them? Like the basement!

 

[Ivyna J Spyder]

Hah, funny thing- my room IS in the basement. Yet it still gets that warm... I don't really understand it :T

I will look into a chiller then to be safe. Shame they cost so much.

Thanks!

 

[cuban jey]

you can possibly use a screen top with a small desk fan on it. do a test run and see if the tank stays cool enough.

 

[Gromky]

One thing to note, is that generally aquarium temp (if unheated) will be lower than air temp. Our house ends up at about those temps during the summer, and my axie tank tops out at 70. On the warm side of safe, but it was still a relief that it doesn't go too high.

Not running lights will help, the fan idea may help quite a bit as well. If desperate you could probably set up an evaporative cooler (small pump brings water up to a holding tank above the main tank, then have it drip down mesh back into the tank while air blows across).

 

[CalumR]

I have been toing around building an inline water radiator for external filter type, using water cooled computer parts. I avnt got it working yet issues with geeting a good seal around pipe connections, ut its worth a think, so far its cost me £50 in parts.

 

[Gromky]

It's not a bad idea, but you need some type of cooler. Generally, aquariums are colder than air temp due to evaporation (ignoring lights). So if you pump water from the tank into a sealed radiator, it will actually heat the tank.

A simple evaporative/peltier/chiller setup might make it work, but just throwing the water into a coil/radiator won't help if the air temp is higher than your desired temp.