No heater?

[natjobe]

Hello,
I was wondering if I take my heater out will the temp fluctuation's effect my axoltols? It's really cold outside now and during the day while we are not home, and at night, we turn the heat down alot and it gets to around 15-16 degrees which I know is okay for them but I'm just not sure about the constant temperature changes. Also the heater I have in the tank now, even at it's lowest, is still keeping the tank around 20-21, and I feel this is to warm, hence wanting to take the heater out. Or should I just buy a new smaller heater to keep at a constant?
So thankful for this forum! Thanks again!

 

[carsona246]

if the tank temp doesn't swing that much during the day, there may be no need for a heater period. I'd take the heater out, and monitor the temp change over the day. So long as it isn't changing temp rapidly, it should be fine. Depending on the size of the tank, the temp should remain relatively stable, and if it does change, it should take a while. I know when I turn my fan off my 40 breeder it takes a few hours for the temp to change 1 degree.

 

[natjobe]

My tank is a 55 a gallon

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Why are you using a heater for a cold water species?

Have you read the temperature information on The Axolotl Site?

 

[natjobe]

I realize that it is a cold water species, and I have read all that. But I thank you for your input, I really appreciate it. I was only using it to keep the temperature from fluctuating to much. I live in Canada and its pretty cold right now and as I said I just to keep it from going all over the place, I just don't want to stress them out.

 

[Chirple]

Do you have a thermometer in the tank ?

How much does the water itself change in temperature ?

 

[Kaysie]

A 55 gallon tank will take a LONG time to cool down, even if the air temperature does.

 

[natjobe]

well I kept the heater out all night, it only dropped a degree, thought it would do a more drastic change. I actually just bought a plastic thermometer and it did'nt seem right so I put a glass one in from one of my other tanks and it shows the temp 2 degrees lower. I'm going by the glass one now, seems more accurate. So according to the glass one the temp is 18 degrees. much better would still like it down another degree or two!

 

[natjobe]

My tank is finally at a nice cool 16 degrees. They look much happier!! Got my shrimp in there today. hoping a few make it!