Its getting hot! Advice please?

[sunnyd1277]

OK, its been getting hot im my apartment lately but his tank (with a fan blowing across water) has stayed below 20C. But, today his tank was at 25C! I anticipated the temp spike yesterday and prepared a container of water for him to go in the fridge. I transfered him into the fridge and he seems to be acting normally. Instead if covering the tank with a towel i just taped up the fridge light, though his container still is covered by the lid. Does this all sound like I did things right? Along with 100% water changes everyday what else should I do? Should I just keep him there till it gets colder?

I plan on buying a chiller asap. Any suggestions for a good value chiller? (preferably under $400).

Any help would be great! Thanks alot!

 

[Shizeric]

What size is your tank? And how big is the container you have him in in the fridge?

 

[tomkeogh]

Unless you have a HUGE tank you should be able to pick up a chiller for less than that.

 

[sunnyd1277]

The tank is 30 gallons, but I only have it maybe half full. I plan on getting a 40 breeder soon.

I have him in a good size container in the fridge maybe a foot in diameter and 3 inches of water in it. Im guessing around 1.5-2 gallons of water in it.

I just checked on him and did a 100% water change. Seems to be doing fine just a little sluggish, which im guessing is normal for significantly lower temperatures ( 9C from 24C).

How long can I keep him in there for? It might start to cool down for a few weeks but then climb back up. I dont want to stress him to much by transfering him and having extreme temp changes.

 

[Shizeric]

You can keep in him in the fridge as long as you need to. Keep up with fresh water changes and feed him every 3rd day.

What is his diet, and I hope you don't mind me asking where you're from.

 

[Ken Worthington]

Hi, you mentioned the size of the container that he's in while he's chilling out, but ideally you'd want a similar sized container with treated water that's been in the fridge for a day to acclimatize. This would solve any differences in temperature when doing the change, and so keep the little guy relaxed as he adjusts.

Hope this helps

 

[sunnyd1277]

I have a few large bottles in the fridge for a day before and thats what I use to change his water so there is no temperature change since hes been in the fridge.

He usually eats blood worms or live earthworms, if not I will feed him a few pellets. I live in Seattle, Washington where it is getting hot and humid.

What is the purpose of a smaller container? He seems to like to move around alot.

Also, is it common for his tail to curl up to his head when its colder? I know this is a sign of stress but he is in a cold, ammo free, still water, with no light change?

You guys are awsome! Thanks alot

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Have you read the Caudata Culture article on cooling?

 

[sunnyd1277]

I have read the cooling article and did everything on it exept float ice bottles. Im home at spuratic taimes and cant be there to change them out all the time so I didnt want to creat to much fluxuation and stress.

I am really worried about his tail curling so much

 

[lea]

while he is having a holiday in the fridge why dont you try the ice bottles just to see how goes....you might be surprised......i have about 5 frozen 3lt bottles and i put 2 in the tank when i go to work and then when i get home in the arvo i put another 2 in....it is perfect but it is doable.....
lea

 

[sunnyd1277]

It is definatly worth a shot. Im just worried because sometimes I work 10-12+ hours a day. Thats why a chiller was attractive to me

 

[Bueller]

I to am curious if the tail curling is normal at lower temperatures?

I had to stick Axel in the fridge and he looked healthy other than the injury on his side... but now his tail looks like its curling and it wasn't that way before.