Please help! Really worried - a new 4 foot setup with 4 axolotls?

Petersgirl

Petersgirl

New member
Joined
Mar 25, 2013
Messages
965
Reaction score
20
Points
0
Country
United Kingdom
Hey guys,

I've been worrying about my new setup so much it's actually making me physically ill. Basically, I had been thinking of getting a bigger tank for my babies (it was a 2.5 foot) and saw a 4 foot tank on sale for £50. I also saw two beautiful axolotls looking for a home in the same area, and snapped them up as well.

I'm seriously worried. I have this new 4 foot tank and four axolotls in it, but all I have to filter it is a PF Mini and a PF3 filter, basic canister-style filters, which I'm pretty sure are nowhere near big enough to cope with the new waste being produced (as it's four fully grown axxies). I also have this four foot monster resting on two domestic chests of drawers pushed together, and I am worried the drawers will sag or break in the middle, causing a disaster - my plug sockets are behind the drawers. I literally only have a towel underneath the tank to cushion it. It is 27 UK Gallons/32 US Gallons/122.71 liters. The tank is I am so scared of disaster happening because my brother's tank was a similar size and was placed on top of a TV stand. He came in one night to find it had broken in the middle, the tank had then cracked and water was coming through the kitchen roof.

My family are insisting I'm being silly and paranoid, but I'm so scared of this damaging our home or our axolotls being hurt.

So, what I wondering is:

1) I am pretty sure that two chests of drawers supporting a tank this size is pushing it. Is there any way I can make it safe? What can you suggest that will definitely make it safer to have a tank this size in my room? I am thinking about stands, styrofoam and support boards but need to know first if this is dangerous.
2) The bio-load. The filters I have are basic canisters. I have never used an external filter and am worried about using one. Would water changes, little and often, be safe enough to stop the water quality from hurting my babies?

Please help me - I am so close to rehoming my axolotls and getting rid of my tank because I am so scared of something bad happening. All help is appreciated!
 
Do you test your water parameters regularly (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate?) You should be doing water changes whenever the levels of ammonia and nitrite go over 0. If they're all at zero, you're fine.

As for the weight of the tank, 32 gallons of water weighs 266 pounds. Can the two chests support that? That's like two of me (I dunno how much you weigh) but if you and a friend could stand on the chests then it'll be fine.


32 gallons might be a little cramped for four Axies though, just space wise...
 
Thanks Kiani! It's a relief to hear that perhaps it's not as deadly as I first imagined. A family friend pretty much told me to sort it right away and that even one day on two drawers was pushing it!

I'm very vigilant with parameters and test every week - I note my parameters on charts so I can keep a weather eye. As you can understand, I am a little concerned about the new bioload, so I am treating it like a cycling tank and going to test every day to ensure the parameters are not getting out of hand, probably for a few weeks, just to adjust to the new bioload vis water changes etc.

I couldn't believe it when I realised how few gallons it was! It's because it's spread out over 48 inches worth of length - it's a lot of floor space! I used to have a 2.5 foot but because of the depth it was 28 Gallons. The tank I have now seems so much roomier and all four of them seem to have lots of space. It is 48/12/13 inches (L/W/H). I have been told before each axolotl needs 1ft or 10 gallons each - I have four feet, which would just about be enough for three (I am having to discount the space the ornaments take up unfortunately, and assuming they take up a foot) by the 1ft calculation, but not enough Gallons. Indeed, I only actually have enough for two if you look at it that way! I'm not sure which would be better used in my example. I have also considered rehoming the two babies I have just rescued. While they are absolutely lovely, I can't help feeling all I've actually done is done the same thing I did before - the tank is too small because I have too many lotls in it. I only want what's best for them, but I don't want to break their previous owners' hearts by passing them on days after getting them.

I weigh 65 kilos/143 pounds, so it'd be slightly less than two of me. I have stood on the unit before to paint the ceiling and while it supported me it would nearly always wobble when I got off one of them, which worries me.

Should I get a stand? And should I consider rehoming one of my lotls?
 
You could put a slab of thick wood on top of both the drawers to prevent sagging and such that way it'll be equally balanced.

Also did you quarantine the two you just bought first?
 
If you're keeping careful track of your parms and doing regular water changes so they stay in the safe zone, you're on top it and it should be alright :)

If you can find a stand that fits that tank, then sure, get a stand. Just make sure the stand is rated for that weight. (lol I'd be the dork getting on top of it in the store LOL)

It's really up to you if you want to re-home one of your lotls or not - what do you think is best for them?
 
I am usually an avid advocate of quarantining, mainly because I would hate not to suggest it and then the poor owner that I haven't mentioned it to loses a lotl because I failed to include relevant information. In this case, I did not. The axolotls came from an area about 50 miles from where I live and came from a domestic setting. They also looked to be in very good health (I know I can't see diseases or parasites etc) and, to be honest, I didn't prepare very well for this at all. I got them home late at night after a long day with no food and feeling absolutely rotten, so it was very much a case of getting the tank set up and getting them somewhere stable and safe. Unfortunately that meant putting them all in the new tank straight away. It was poorly timed and I coped with it pretty badly. I kind of saw them, felt sorry for them as they were so lovely and the owner needed to rehome them, and acted on impulse. I got the 4 foot specifically so I'd have room enough for four, and to be honest, they look happy. They look like they actually have tons of room (although I know the gallon measurement sounds titchy).

I almost feel like getting a stand just to appease my nervousness. I'm prone to worry anyway, and having had it happen once just makes me more paranoid. How much would a stand for a tank this heavy be, approximately? I think it's the cost for a 4 footer that would stump me. I just have to hope I get one secondhand. In the meantime, I will try the wood trick. Anything to make it safer.

As for rehoming them...it sounds mad but I haven't bonded with them yet. I sort of feel like finding new homes for one or both of my new ones would be a relief, but I also wonder if I can find anyone who would be able to care for them properly, and whether I would regret it. I think I need to wait and see. I really do think that the space isn't an issue really, when I look at them I don't feel they're cramped at all, and I'm very worrywarty about that kind of thing. I think I'm just super-anxious because it's unfamiliar territory and because the guidelines aren't really clear.

Thank you, guys. I have literally been crying over this! >.<
 
You can always check craigslist and things like that for cheap or free stands. Heck, there was a nice one that held a 20 gallon for $6 at a local thrift store just recently where I am. And if you feel you need to rehome one of the axies, I'm sure there are plenty of users here that would give them good homes.

I think if you keep up on the parameters they'll be ok, just try it out for a bit and see how it works out for you. Good luck, whatever you decide to do :3
 
I have my 29ga sitting on a very solid coffee table. You can find those really cheap. If you are really worried about the weight, you can drop the water level, take out substrate, ornaments etc. As long as you stay on top of your water quality, they have room to maneuver and their hides, you should be fine. Interesting to hear about the tv stand, I have a partially filled 20ga on one now and haven't had any issues once I got it nice and level and stabilized. Guess i may need to think about upgrading it!:happy:
 
Petersgirl said:
I am usually an avid advocate of quarantining, mainly because I would hate not to suggest it and then the poor owner that I haven't mentioned it to loses a lotl because I failed to include relevant information. In this case, I did not. The axolotls came from an area about 50 miles from where I live and came from a domestic setting. They also looked to be in very good health (I know I can't see diseases or parasites etc) and, to be honest, I didn't prepare very well for this at all. I got them home late at night after a long day with no food and feeling absolutely rotten, so it was very much a case of getting the tank set up and getting them somewhere stable and safe. Unfortunately that meant putting them all in the new tank straight away. It was poorly timed and I coped with it pretty badly. I kind of saw them, felt sorry for them as they were so lovely and the owner needed to rehome them, and acted on impulse. I got the 4 foot specifically so I'd have room enough for four, and to be honest, they look happy. They look like they actually have tons of room (although I know the gallon measurement sounds titchy).

I almost feel like getting a stand just to appease my nervousness. I'm prone to worry anyway, and having had it happen once just makes me more paranoid. How much would a stand for a tank this heavy be, approximately? I think it's the cost for a 4 footer that would stump me. I just have to hope I get one secondhand. In the meantime, I will try the wood trick. Anything to make it safer.

As for rehoming them...it sounds mad but I haven't bonded with them yet. I sort of feel like finding new homes for one or both of my new ones would be a relief, but I also wonder if I can find anyone who would be able to care for them properly, and whether I would regret it. I think I need to wait and see. I really do think that the space isn't an issue really, when I look at them I don't feel they're cramped at all, and I'm very worrywarty about that kind of thing. I think I'm just super-anxious because it's unfamiliar territory and because the guidelines aren't really clear.

Thank you, guys. I have literally been crying over this! >.<
Click to expand...

Don't feel bad, I did the same thing recently and brought a couple home that weren't in a good situation, then had to put them in my big tank.

And as well as that they didn't "like" or bond with me like the ones I have already (which stand up like dogs on their back feet when I enter the room), and would hide from me.

But now they are looking very happy and active a week later and come out to see me like all the rest.

But all the previous posters are very right, we should have quarantined any type of water animal before placing it in a populated tank.

Probably better luck than management.
 
I definitely wish I could have gone back and done it all differently, for sure. But, not to be rude, what's done is done. The babies are settled and now come out to see me, and are now renamed Sally and Jack (like Nightmare Before Christmas!) They are being fed earthworms every day (which they got used to within a day!) and I am growing fond of them. I am checking parameters every day too and might also be getting an external filter.

Don't get me wrong, I know I can't tell that the axolotls didn't come with any diseases just by looking (I realised recently that one of the main reasons for quarantining is to allow time for any hidden illnesses to emerge before they are placed in the tank). I guess it was just luck, but I also trusted that the owners would have noticed any signs of illness, as they were very caring about their axxies. One of them did point out a black spot with black frills on the WT Sally's gills, but given that it's flat, that the frills underneath are black and full, and that she is actually covered in smaller black spots that it was a pigment buildup rather than a concern. Put it this way though: I wouldn't risk not quarantining again. I did feel a niggling fear that one of my axolotls would get ill, and I wouldn't like to feel that again, but when I did all this I wasn't well and failed to use my common sense. I could have simply set them up for the night in one of my large washing up tubs and done 100% water changes every day for two weeks. Quarantine sorted. Lesson learned. I still feel guilty but I've got to move on, or else nothing gets done.

I also consulted a large number of people on the drawers including a Design and Technology Teacher, who told me outright that they wouldn't even bother reinforcing the bottom of the tank as it has a strong central support in that the two drawers are pushed together to support the middle (the ends of the drawers are the strongest). I am a cautious person by nature, despite my mistakes, so I will be adding styrofoam and probably a solid piece of wood to keep it level when I can get them.

Thanks for all the support guys! I had a mad five minutes and just suddenly felt like it was all too much, even though I knew it was only going to be as hard as I made it.
 
UPDATE: Have been testing water every other day (owing to other commitments) and have only had one small spike (nitrite went slightly purplish) which resulted in a 10% water change. I have also managed to sneak a custom-cut piece of wood from our D and T department which is just waiting for some styrofoam now.

One of my parents suggested a camping mat but I'm dubious about whether it will take the same weight as styrofoam, what do you guys think?

Halfords | Halfords Camping Mat

Toothless is also in a hospital tank at the moment as he appears to have wounded his head on one of the slate caves, tea bathing. The tea has worked marvelously and the wound is sealing up (it's about the size of a large cookie crumb), and he has continued to eat and poop just fine.
 
I had a 60 litre tank on some draws years back and it leaked when the draws sagged. I had to throw the tank. I put some thick ply wood cut to size on the next time I did this without problems. You can then put thin polystyrene underneath also. Tanks are seriously heavy things when full.
 
If you are still worried try googling cinder block stands. These are very popular with fidh keepers, are cheap and can be painted to look vey nice. Most importantly are very strong.
 
Thanks guys. Mine is a bit bigger than yours was (around 123 liters) and it's on two drawers so by rough calculations with a piece of wood cut to size and a layer of polystyrene we should be okay! I sure hope so. I've asked so many people and every single one had a different opinion. I can't find any stands that fit my tank anywhere so this is my only option. I did look into cinderblock stands but I've had to pass that up as I'm not sure the floor could take the weight of the tank plus concrete blocks - they are a great idea though, and a lot of people with sturdy floors on the first floor (such as warehouses and garages) seem to be using them in those rooms.
I also had it suggested to find old, good-quality furniture and while it is a good suggestion I have no money at the moment - although thank you for suggesting it.

I am going to put the wood and styrofoam on later today and fingers crossed it fixes the problem.

Just wondering, there is a sort of dent/chip in the side of the tank which is smallish but I still want to get it fixed - it's not cracked, just chipped, as though the side accidentally got caught on the wall. The tank is still watertight but I want to fill the chip with aquarium sealant. Is it okay to do this while my babies are in the tank? It's obviously on the outside and doesn't touch the water or I wouldn't be considering it. What do you guys think?
 
I looked into the chip myself and found out that it is definitely a chip - it is clam-shell shaped and stops at the edge of the chip. A chip apparently does not damage the integrity of the tank and will not increase the likelihood of a crack, according to a couple of fishkeeping forums I eavesdropped on. Apparently, chips cannot be filled if they are on the edge of a tank (as mine are). So I won't be filling it because apparently it isn't necessary. So today I have learned something :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top