Can Axolotls Live In Tap Water? 4 Things You Should Consider
Axolotls are aquatic animals, but when they are kept as pets, it is important to set up the right water conditions and filtration system for them. Can axolotls live in water from the tap?
Can I keep my axolotl in tap water?
So, you should try a different kind of water or use something like DeChlor to remove the chlorine from the water.
We have set up many axolotl aquariums over the years, so we know a lot about these tanks and the kind of water that is best for these wonderful animals.
Water Options for Your Axolotl
Bottled Water
Axolotls, like salamanders and newts, need minerals like sodium chloride and potassium chloride, which are found in natural water.
Most bottled water is spring water that has been treated and has had natural minerals and salts added to it. Bottled water is safe to give to your reptile and doesn’t need to be changed in any way.
Check the label of the bottled water to make sure it is not distilled and has been treated with reverse osmosis, filtration, or another method to get rid of chemicals.
City Tap Water
Depending on where you live and how your city, state, province, or district filters its water, the water from your tap could have a lot of different things in it.
If you give your pet tap water, you can either leave it alone for 24 hours to let the chlorine evaporate, or you can buy de-chlorination drops (like DeChlor) from a pet store to get rid of the chlorine.
Some towns now use chloramines instead of chlorine in their water, which might be harder to get rid of.
Well Water
If you get your water from a well instead of the city, you may or may not be able to give your axolotl that water.
You’ll have to test it to find out. Some well water is too acidic or has too much iron for amphibians to drink. At times, it doesn’t get enough oxygen.
You can check the pH of the water with test strips you can find in the aquarium section of a pet store, and oxygenation and iron problems can be fixed by adding air to the water. You can do this with a simple aerator you can find in the fish section.
Distilled Water
Never give your pet water that has been boiled. Distilled water is acidic and doesn’t have the minerals and salts that frogs need in their water.
It also has more hydrogen than tap or bottled water. (lower than 7). Because of these differences, it is not safe for your axolotl to bathe, swim, or drink distilled water.
If you don’t want to buy bottled spring water or have a reverse osmosis system in your kitchen sink or a filtration system like a fridge filter, Brita, PUR, or ZeroWater, you can buy de-chlorination drops from an aquarium store, boil the water, or let it sit for 24 hours before putting it in your axolotl’s enclosure.
If you’re still worried about chlorine in the water, you can buy test strips to find out how much is there before you drink it.
What Is the Perfect Water Type for Axolotls?
Even though it seems strange, axolotls do well in salty water. This strange water is both fresh and salty, making it similar to the axolotl’s natural habitat in southern Mexico.
It also helps stop algae from growing and makes it less important to change the water often.
If you want to keep axolotls as pets, you should think about how good it would be for them to live in a place with salty water. It could be the key to their health and happiness in the long run.
Things to Consider When Filling Your Axolotls Tank with Water?
pH Levels
The pH level is one of the most important things to think about when filling an axolotl’s tank with water. The water should have a pH of between 7.4 and 7.6.
If the water is too acidic or alkaline, it could hurt the health of your axolotl. Also, they may find it hard to keep pH levels stable in water with the wrong balance.
On the other hand, it might be stressful for your pet axolotl if you always checked and changed the pH level of the water. Invest in a good testing kit and, if you can, a water filter to help adjust the pH levels in your tank.
Make sure to clean their tank and change their water often so that you and your axolotl stay happy and healthy.
Testing the pH of water is important to keep the environment in balance and protect the health of plants and animals.
A common way to measure pH is with test strips that change colour when put in water and show the pH level on a scale.
Samples of water can also be sent to a lab for testing that is more accurate. No matter what method is used, it is important to check the pH level of water regularly in order to keep track of and control its quality.
Temperature
When setting up your axolotl aquarium, it’s important to pay attention to how hot or cold the water is. Temperatures between 60 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit are best for axolotls, and big changes from this range could cause stress or illness.
A digital thermometer, which can be easily stuck to the tank’s surface, is the easiest way to keep track of the temperature.
Also, make sure that the heater in your tank is working properly and keeping the water at a consistent temperature. Your axolotl will be happier and healthier if you keep an eye on and adjust the water temperature.
Conclusion
To start, it is important to use water that is free of chlorine and other chemicals, which could hurt the skin of an axolotl.
Second, the temperature of the water is very important. Axolotls can be hurt by water that is too hot or too cold. Water that is close to room temperature or a little warmer is best.
Third, the overall hardness of the water should be checked. Hard water might make it hard for the pH levels to be right, which could make axolotls sick.
Fourth, because axolotls like calm water, the water flow shouldn’t be too strong or fast.
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