Too Cold?

[tg23]

Hi All, winter has hit hard here and since moving across country this is my axies first time in a really cold winter. I am actually concerned about her being too cold and the differing temps throughout the day. So much for the chiller! Tank has been getting as low as 13 C overnight and then up to 17 C during the day.

As stupid as it seems is it worthwhile investing in heater to keep the temp stable at 17 C?

Any thoughts on this?

She doesn't seem too bothered but I am concerned about it.

 

[Kaysie]

Unless your tank dips below 7-8C, I wouldn't worry about it one bit. I've actually had tubs skim over with ice before and not had any problems (although I do not recommend this).

Axolotls are very cold-adapted, and prefer it cool. 13C is just fine.

 

[Jennewt]

You are actually measuring water temperature, not air temp, right? Water temp usually doesn't fluctuate as much as air temperature. And the larger the tank, the less it fluctuates.

I wouldn't be overly concerned about the temp swings, although it would certainly be better to minimize how warm the tank gets during the daytime. The best solution would be a larger tank, although I realize this isn't always possible. You might also consider running a fan over the tank during the day to keep the daytime temp lower.

 

[b00f]

The air temp in my house is 11 degrees.
The air temp in the garage is 6.
Water temp is 14.

Melbourne winter this year is going to get worse.
Im going to hate it where my axies will start doing back flips.

My best suggestion.... move the tank to a more stable part of the house.

 

[tg23]

Thanks all. That is tank temperature as displayed on the screen of the chiller.
It was -6 C here this morning. I will stop worrying so much and monitor her for signs of stress. Recently moved her across the country by car, don't want anything happening now!!

Trouble is we turn the heater on to keep us warm and that increases temp in the tank. Might trying closing some of the heat ducts in the room she is in to see if that at least keeps things stable.

Tank is 3 foot, 1 axie in there.

 

[ianclick]

I wouldn't worry to much, its temperatures at the other end of the scale that cause more problems.
A keeper in the States had axolotls in an outside pond that froze over in winter and they survived. Your plan sounds like it will do the trick. We are sitting on 2C wher I live in NZ about 14C inside and I have never seen my axolotls more active.

 

[pieman21]

Its nice too know that axies are so resilient!