Hi there, I'm relatively new to aquariums in general and received a couple of axolotls a month ago as a gift. The tank we initially had was far too small so I bought a pre-owned Juwel Rio 125 (JUWEL® Aquarium | Rio 125 UK black). After battling with ammonia levels for a few weeks I decided to buy some live plants and the tank has now successfully cycled - however, the live plants require lightning which I am worried is harmful to my axolotls or may be heating the tank up.
In regards to the lightning, I've read axolotls have no eyelids and strong lights are stressful to them - I've attempted to compensate by adding a lot of plants for shade which is overcrowding my tank. The lights are branded with the serial number F18W/35 535, which upon googling leads me to this; Buy Fluorescent Tube T8 2ft 18w white with G5 cap - F18w/35-535 Philips TLD18W/35, Osram L18w 535 | GB Bulbs (UK). Are these lights appropriate for axolotls, and if not, is someone able to point me to lights that would suit them better?
Two, my temperatures are regularly sitting between 21 and 22 C. I've tried to compensate with ice bottles but I've heard doing this too often can be harmful or even fatal for axolotls. I've been reading that the cheapest option is a fan, but pretty much all of the ones I've found clip onto the edge of the tank which would require me to have the lid off or raised slightly. I was under the impression that the lid had to be closed at all times to prevent axolotls from leaping out of the aquarium. Are there any fans which would work better with my aquarium, or is it fine if the lid is slightly open?
Apologies if any of my questions are confusing, I'm just new at keeping aquatic animals and having a pre-owned tank has left me a little lost as to what I need.
In regards to the lightning, I've read axolotls have no eyelids and strong lights are stressful to them - I've attempted to compensate by adding a lot of plants for shade which is overcrowding my tank. The lights are branded with the serial number F18W/35 535, which upon googling leads me to this; Buy Fluorescent Tube T8 2ft 18w white with G5 cap - F18w/35-535 Philips TLD18W/35, Osram L18w 535 | GB Bulbs (UK). Are these lights appropriate for axolotls, and if not, is someone able to point me to lights that would suit them better?
Two, my temperatures are regularly sitting between 21 and 22 C. I've tried to compensate with ice bottles but I've heard doing this too often can be harmful or even fatal for axolotls. I've been reading that the cheapest option is a fan, but pretty much all of the ones I've found clip onto the edge of the tank which would require me to have the lid off or raised slightly. I was under the impression that the lid had to be closed at all times to prevent axolotls from leaping out of the aquarium. Are there any fans which would work better with my aquarium, or is it fine if the lid is slightly open?
Apologies if any of my questions are confusing, I'm just new at keeping aquatic animals and having a pre-owned tank has left me a little lost as to what I need.
