Summer fridging idea? Please comment =P

[PatricALOTL]

Hi all....
I was reading through some posts about axie fans (especially a lot of aussies) who like to fridge their axies over summer because of a high temp problem.
It struck me that this would be a very labouring task to fulfill...having to dechlorinate water, then bottle it and keep it in the fridge/or have another container prepared for the change over EVERYDAY....
So I came up with an idea:

Lets just say you have a bar fridge/wine cooler/kitchen fridge with plenty of spare room...in my case I'd opt for the bar fridge at my place that's empty....:happy:

1- You prepare a 15L plastic tub/storage container with treated water or basically the biggest size that will fit in your fridge and will still allow you to close the door. Generally storage tubs come with lids, you could put holes in the top for air, and cut out the section that the filter will need to stick out of, which brings me to step 2:

2- You then attach a filter (the best are the ones that sit on the side) you can pick these up pretty cheap, I found one that was only $13.99 at a big w department store. The cord to the filter should still be able to sit outside the fridge and plug into a normal power point without leaving a gap in the door.
*Check how much water the filter can handle, you wouldn't want to get a filter for 100L +, for such a small amount of water: 15L WHAT A WASTE, and very unnecessary.

3- You let it cycle and let the temperature stabilise. If the fridge is adjustable, a good idea would be to keep it at about 10-14 degrees Celsius. At this temperature the axies should still want to eat (but maybe not as much). If its a shared fridge with food, such as the kitchen fridge, tampering with its normal temps could spoil the food, (POSSIBLY), its better to be safe then with 'semi-melted' chocolate that needs to be eaten ASAP...hmmm, or maybe not ....

4- Add the axie(s)!!!!!!and let them become comfortable with their new holiday house.

5- Do regular water changes of about 1/4 - 1/3 a week....yes, water changes would still need be to be done, but just not as frequently, and it would definitely be less time-consuming. Also the temp should be recorded along with parameters.

6- If you wish, plastic plants or other ornaments and hidey holes could be placed in the tub for 'scenery' just as long as they don't take up too much space!!!

Please remember this fridging method would only be for happy healthy axies that just need a break from the hot summr heat!

Anyway....that's my idea!!!, PLEASE if anyone wants to add anything or point out something that might not work !!!COMMENT!!!I'd love some feedback, because I'm thinking of putting this plan into action, if summer decides to ATTACK !!!!:happy:

 

[Abrahm]

While this method would work, it would still require you to have an almost empty fridge or spare fridge, which isn't a common thing to have. The enclosure size is still pretty small and I think at least 2-3 water changes a week would still be a necessity.

If its a shared fridge with food, such as the kitchen fridge, tampering with its normal temps could spoil the food, (POSSIBLY), its better to be safe then with 'semi-melted' chocolate that needs to be eaten ASAP...hmmm, or maybe not ....

Do not set your fridge so that the temperature is above 4C or at least within a degree or two of 4C. The odds of your food spoiling and causing illness are going to get a lot higher if you do.

 

[PatricALOTL]

A 15L tub is quite small, so I guess you would still need to do at least 2 or 3 changes, that does make a lot of sense, thanks for pointing that out.

Also, I was unsure whether or not it was a good idea to adapt this to a shared fridge anyway, because of the food spoilage reason and also alot of space is needed.

ALTHOUGH, for those that don't have a spare empty fridge, you could always buy a wine cooler, I saw one for AU$90 at a department store, ....thats way cheaper than a chiller.It just depends if you have the room or not and your willing to operate something like this for only about 2-3months of the year.
.
So I guess in theory this could work, and I'm willing to try it out, keeping in mind the safety of my axolotls....so far though the temps in the tanks are still controlable and never go any higher than 20 degrees C.

Thanks for the comments and the helpful pointers...

 

[blueberlin]

A method that seems to me like it could be very effective is Example 5 in the Caudata Culture article on Cooling Methods. I've never tried it, though, as our summers here rarely get up mich higher than an axolotl's acceptable temp range.

-Eva

 

[PatricALOTL]

I did consider using that cooling method, it seems really effective and also alot safer than some of the other methods that involve fans and other eletrical equipment.

The spare bar fridge still seems like a good refuge though. Its brand new, not in use and completly empty. I'll figure out something, and when i do i'll inform everyone!

 

[rachellag]

A method that seems to me like it could be very effective is Example 5 in the Caudata Culture article on Cooling Methods. I've never tried it, though, as our summers here rarely get up mich higher than an axolotl's acceptable temp range.

-Eva

Does anyone have experience with cooling method #5 from the link above, that can comment on its effectiveness??? It was suggested to me that the heat transfer between the tank water and the hot room air is greater that than of the cool circulating water to the tank water, making the process not efficient. Can anyone with experience please advise????

 

[lea]

hi everyone

rachellag i am currently using this to cool my tank and it works really well. i repalce the ice everyday(and sometimes i float frozen bricks in the tank) sometimes morning and arvo because it has been so hot here is brisbane lately. i use a old beer fridge(it looks like a can of beer) with the plastic tubing in the bottom with ice put on top, it keeps the temp around 18 to 20c mark. i was looking at putting copper tubing around the edge of the fridge and put it on high so it freezes and then i might not have to use ice but im hearing copper isnt very good for the axies so i have to come up with another idea that will chill the water down very quickly(like copper can). has anyone got any????

lea:happy: