Divided Tank w/Eclipse Hood

[lopeva]

This post is large, so I apologize in advance:

I have a divided 10 gallon tank; male half moon on left (Nicholai), female half moon (Alix) and tetras on the right. The divider was purchsed from Dr. Smith and Fosters. The Eclipse Hood is a self contained unit which includes a filter and biowheel all located at the top of the unit.

Prior to going on vacation for a week, I cleaned tank, tested water parameters, etc. Everything fine. The water on the left side of the tank consistently has a film on top, but the water parameters are always good, and Nicholai didn't seem to suffer any ill effects.

Returning from vacation, the left side of the tank still has the film, but it appears worse, and the beautiful Nicholai was suffering from fin rot, clamping the fins, and generally looking bad. I immediately removed him and placed in hospital tank; he appears to be recovering. Removed the divider, did partial water change, tested parameters, and everything is great now.

Now the question -- I know the reason the left side ran into problems was water circulation. Even though the Eclipse is very powerful, it just doesn't appear to be circulating the left side of the tank enough. Any thoughts on how to increase the circulation on the divided tank? My husband thinks I should cut the height of the divider, but I want to ensure the bettas stay separated.

Alix loves swimming all through the larger tank, but I prefer to have just one tank, and not need to purchase a second.

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Penny

 

[red-devil0602]

is the filter in the middle of the tank as i had the same problem, since i moved it to the middle it has been fine, another way is buying 2 smaller filter

 

[AlexsDaddy]

If you can find some way to redirect the output so it comes out half on each side of the divider, it might help. Maybe make a trough out of plexiglass or something. Or cut a 20 ounce soda bottle in half.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Or add an aorstone/sponge filter on the left side.

 

[BettaMomma]

What do you use for dividers?
I used to have the same problem. I had the filter in the middle compartment and a betta boy on either side of that - so I had 3 compartments, it went betta, filter, betta - I had the dividers that have the turquoise green slot pieces along all sides that clipped to the tank. I threw away the plastic divider piece and replaced it with plastic canvas because there was little to NO circulation in that tank.

I would give this a try - it will give you more circulation.

What kind of tetras do you have in with your female betta? Do they get along pretty well?

 

[bettaboi]

yes i use plastic canvas in my divided tanks and never seen an ill effect

 

[Seahorse]

I use those teal dividers in my tanks and have a similar problem. The other side is just not getting proper circulation.

Unfortunately my ever so creative method of dealing with this is simply taking the divider out after removing the fish, doing a small water change and sifting the sand so the gunk goes towards the filter.

In about an hour it is crystal clear.

 

[lopeva]

Thank you for all of the responses. My little fella left us this weekend. Very sad. I have the worst luck with male bettas. I have them for approximately six months, and then something always happens. I've tried several configurations, and I still have the same luck. And I'm so diligent about the water parameters, etc. Then I hear "Your cousin has had one in a jar for like a year!" AWFUL!!!

But I agree with the plastic canvas thought, and trying to create a trough. I also like Betta Momma's idea of dividing in three if possible. And to answer Betta Momma's , the tetras are glow tetras and the female doesn't seem to realize they are there. They bother each other more than she even pays attention to them.

Again, thanks for the responses.

Penny