Filters and chillers

[Elliriyanna]

I plan to set up a 40 long and I have been looking at filters and chillers however I am on a budget so they less I have to spend the better and I know some of you are in the same boat. I think I found a filter ( The tank will be home to 3 axolotls) Turtle Clean™ 501 External Canister Filter

However I cant seem to find an even mildly affordable chiller, I am hoping we can keep our apartment cool enough that we wont have a problem but in case we do I would like to be prepared.

 

[BramJ]

Chillers are expensive unfortunately...
I got lucky with a year old Aqua Medic 1500 Titan for 25% of the new price

 

[Elliriyanna]

Other alternatives would be great too.

Do you think this turtle filter would be good enough? I would prefer a canister since it does not take room in the tank plus it cant heat up the water.

 

[Alkylhalide]

The only thing with that filter is i would suggest two, or one plus a sponge filter. Actually i really recommend two filtersfor anyone with a axolotl because of their waste, i keep a filter on each side of my tank. One hob and one sponge. I like this idea of a filter it seems small and like a hob but external, meaning you could potentially put it in a cooler with ice, keeping the water cooled, if you understand what i mean, just make sure the ice is eitherin a bag or bottle or ice packs. Use a styrofoam cooler and drill holes big enough to run tubing/wires through to keep the ice from melting so quick. If you could get something bigger but in the same idea that would be cool too.
That way the water will run into the filter and cool down before re entering the tank.

 

[Alkylhalide]

I was having a hard time with tank temps. Firstly removing the top of the tank drops the temp by 4F easily, adding a fan over the tank drops it a few degrees as well. This kept my tank around 72-74F just by these methods. Ice bottles are very inefficient and i found they didnt do anything. I had to fridge my lotls for two days but we gave in and bought an a/c because it was so hot even we were dying! And since we bought the a/c the tank never goes over 70F normally stays around 66-68F

Ive been trying to find a way though to use a cooler and an external filter to keep the water cooler, though this will be for when i upgrade to my permanent tank, no point in wasting money if im going to upgrade soon.

 

[Elliriyanna]

I also have a 35 gallon sponge filter so combined they should be good Thats 65 gallons of filtration and only one filter will be taking space in the tank.

I usually use two but it can really be a pain with outlets and such.

I could buy like ice packs and put them in the cooler and just put the filter in something water proof ... Just in case. If I did that AND got a cooling fan that should be plenty and budget friendly

 

[Alkylhalide]

That sounds perfect! Really that was my plan. Never have tried it yet but in theory it should work pretty efficiently. Adding a sponge filter also creates bubbles which helps evaporation, adding a fan also does so too. All three combined should keep the tank easily in the 60s even on the hottest day. If you try this method before me you should tell us how it works it seems simple and efficient in my head. And styrofoam coolers are not expensive but they keep things cool. We went camping with one and it kept the ice frozen for three days! Outside! Plus it would be easier to drill holes in it for tubing etc

 

[Alkylhalide]

I have a sponge filter ratesfor 35gallons too and a hob for 20gallons in my 25gallon tank and i would always recommend going with higher rates filters with axolotls. It just makes it so much easier to keep stable since they create more waste then fish.. I have 55gallon total in 25gallon. And i have a pretty strong biological filter going on. It houses 5axolotls(temporary of course!) hopefully we will be upgrading in about two weeks when i get paid, i founda used 55 gallon for 275$ with two external filters for 120gallons the stand is beautiful and the lid matchs the stand! Comes with gravel(though in the picture it looks like black sand, regardless if its gravel ill just take it out and keep it since it is worth 100$) and a bunch of decorations. And all the chemicals and testing kits(dont need them but i will one day run out)

 

[Elliriyanna]

I have a mesh lid on the tank so thats not a problem and I sit a fan on it directed into the tank, But its not enough I want to give my axies the best, I have my single axie in a 20 long lol but once I get the babies its 10 gallons each until we move , Unless I can set up my 40 long sooner.

My boyfriend likes keeping out house SUPER cold ( Like 68 or less ) so that should keep them around 64 anyway but why not keep it even cooler and keep them happy and healthy

 

[Alkylhalide]

I think i may keep my 25gallon and use it as a breeder tank when they are old enough and use it to seperate male/female since my two biggest ones ended up being a male/female. Combo. I dont want any inbreeding surprises lol but first i need to find room for all these tanks lol

 

[Elliriyanna]

So what would most recommend? a HOB or a Canister?