Leviathan-41 Posted March 5, 2011 Report Share Posted March 5, 2011 After the recent Christchurch earthquake, the city's water supply is now being chlorinated. Us living here in Christchurch are very spoiled with our water, and are used to it being pure and chemical-free, so I'm not sure what to do now about making the water safe for my axolotls. Since the quake, my 4 axies have been living in their rather small and cramped polystyrene traveling box. I know it's not ideal to keep them in there long term, but with water being somewhat limited and having to be boiled and then cooled to drink and use, the polystyrene box uses a lot less of it than does their main tank. Also I feel better about being able to keep them safe in their box under the table from the aftershocks. (In the September earthquake, our entertainment unit fell onto and smashed one of our tanks. We saved the one axolotl resident and she was alright, but I'm now extremely protective of my axies with the quakes happening!) But the non-chlorinated water supply we have saved is going to run out soon, and I need to find a way of making the chlorinated water safe. I know for people in other cities, this is a usual thing to have to do, so I'm hoping someone might be able to give me some advise on this?? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted March 5, 2011 Report Share Posted March 5, 2011 There are a few ways to go about it, but one of the most reliable methods is to use a quality water conditioner (dechlorinator) designed for aquatic animals. You can get these from your local fish shop. I have used Seachem Prime but you can also get API Stress Coat, among others, that do the same thing. In such a small container it might be good to keep up the water changes to prevent buildup of wastes that can affect the health of your axolotl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leviathan-41 Posted March 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2011 Hi Jennifer, we are Rebecca and husband Jason - we've been to your place in Halswell a couple of times for the Totally Tanked meetings (I presume you are the same Jennifer - it would be a bit embarrassing if you were someone different!). Robyn emailed us to say tonight's meeting was canceled though because of the quake. She said your stand of tanks held this time, but that Alan and Rodney had both lost a lot of their tanks Around how much do you pay for a dechlorinator, and how big are they? Jason says he has also heard of dissolving tablets that are chlorine-neutralizing, do you know anything about these? We are giving the axolotls' water a partial change at least every two - three days. Does it need changing more often? We have sometimes done it daily, on days when it's gotten really bad. I've also been removing large waste matter, either with tweezers or just with my fingers, to try to help slow down waste buildup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted March 5, 2011 Report Share Posted March 5, 2011 Hi Leviathan-41, welcome to the forum Are you able to catch some of this rainwater? I got 50 litres in next to no time by diverting a downpipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdspider Posted March 5, 2011 Report Share Posted March 5, 2011 Hi Rebecca & Jason! Robyn here, glad to see you on the forums. & yup, you have the right Jen. Dechlorination stuff can be bought at any petshop, just head for the nearest one that is open. I know Redwoods, Organism, Proud Paws (Northlands Mall) and Pet World (Ferry Rd) are at least, but probably others too. It is just a little bottle of liquid that you add a few drops to your tap water to treat. Depending on what size bottle you get, you'll probably need to spend between $10-$20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leviathan-41 Posted March 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2011 Hi MarkLB, yeah I filled a couple of buckets from a steady stream of rainwater coming off the roof. (Incidentally, while I was standing in the doorway filling a bucket, that huge aftershock happened, which kind of put me off the rainwater collecting as I find that whatever activity I'm doing when there's a quake, I associate with quakes from then on! Still, in the doorway was probably the best place to be at the time!) The water I got will need quite a bit of straining, as it has a lot of bits in it and doesn't seem the cleanest - the roof probably isn't the cleanest place to collect it from - a downpipe may be better, thanks. Hi Robyn, we will have to check out what some of those pet shops have in stock - thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Hi guys, if you are around the area, you are welcome to come here and I will give you some treated water. I also have some axy food I can give you if you need some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 is decholrinator safe for axolotls? i would be cautious using it with amphibs....but maybe it is safe.. could just let the water sit in a bucket overnight. put an airstone in if possible. i just use water straight out of the tap, chlorine never done any harm here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdspider Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Or go on a trip to somewhere with it's own well and fill up a big supply of buckets and containers - Humvees house (you've met her), Orana Park, Willowbank, anyone on a farm? I keep seeing random houses about the city with signs up saying they have a well on their properties too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Christchurch South Intermediate School on Selwyn St has open access to a tap/hose from an artesian well. Gates are open 24/7 and apart from having to collect it, you could have as much as you like without treating it. Theres even a light on in the shed the tap is attached to so you can collect after dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leviathan-41 Posted March 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Thank you everyone for your helpful suggestions. I moved my axies back into their tank yesterday, as I think they'd had enough of their cramped traveling box and were possibly a bit depressed (if axies can get depressed?) I used a bucket of the rainwater I'd collected and a bucket of tap water that had been sitting out overnight. The rainwater is a bit discoloured, and we don't have an airstone, but I've been keeping an eye on the axies and they seem happy enough for now with no signs of ailment. We'll look into getting some artesian well water from one the suggested locations, or from someone's well if there's someone close by to us who has a well, and the suggested equipment - dechlorinator, airstone etc. I'm not sure whether or not our water supply has started being chlorinated yet, as I can't taste any chlorine when I drink it - it still tastes the same - not like Auckland's or other cities' chlorinated water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 What area are you in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBossPants Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 The water conditioner you can get from a pet store will be safe to use with axies as long as you use the recommended dose. Stress coat, prime and aquaplus all have conditioners which enhance the slime coat, which will be good for your axies skin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leviathan-41 Posted March 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 We live on Edgeware Rd, St Albans area. My parents live in Mairehau area off Kellys Rd, fairly close to Philpotts Rd, and I'm around at their place quite often. I think there is someone living on Kellys Rd who has a well, as the first few days after the earthquake when there was no tap water, there was a man standing outside his place with a sign saying 'fresh well water'. So I might try asking at his place when next over that way, if they'd mind us having some. If we're ever over in the area where the school on Selwyn St is, we'll definitely have to stock up on some of the well water there. It's just a bit out of the way for us, especially since we can't go through the CBD at the moment. We will have to look at getting some of that water conditioner - I presume all pet stores stock it? Thanks BigBossPants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdspider Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Anyone needing well-water, I suggest go have a nosey around your closest schools. Lots of them appear to have their own wells, especially if it's an older school. Remember, well water will still need to be boiled just in case if you plan to DRINK it, but if it's not on the mains it shouldn't be chlorinated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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