Divider.

[thelastbetta]

What could use to divide my tank so I can have a betta on either side? I want something that won't hurt the water or fish and nothing to expensive either. Any idea's?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi thelastbetta

Welcome to the forum!

I'll move your thread to the Betta section. There are lots of members there who know all about dividing tanks. I'm sure you will get some good advice.

 

[Durbkat]

Some lps have dividers for sale. And other people have used some kind of glass to seperate a tank. But spiltting a tank with a betta on each side is a bad idea because they can jump over to the other side and then they would fight to the death. Or since dividers have holes in them so water to flow through the bettas fins can fit through the holes and then the other betta will chomp on it. So I would not recommend it. But its your choice.

 

[afireinside]

But if you make a home made one, they usually are better (in my opinion). You know those binders (not the ring type) that you put reports in? Get two of those than put some mesh in between that and put it in the tank. Works for me!

 

[simonbrown403]

Stitching canvas and two plastic paper binders, silicon the paper binders to the sides, cut the canvas to fit and slot in.

You can always cut the stitching canvas to fit titely to the contor of your hood if you worried about them jumping over.

 

[Andie]

Hi, and welcome to the forums Dividing is great because it's a way to fit more bettas into a tank, which is always good when you're looking for a spot to place the newest one It's also good because it gives the males something to flare at, which increases blood flow to their gills/fins. Just keep an eye on your boys to make sure they spend some time away from the divider too, balancing exercise with rest; putting plants on either side will help with this a lot, and give them a place to retreat to. If you see them really battering at it to get to each other, you can hide the divider behind a little wall of plants to restrict their access to it

As to how to make dividers, I'm a little lazy with the silicone myself, so I just take plastic crochet canvas that's too wide for the tank, and bend it so it's wedged to fit. As long as it's got plenty of strength at the base in the form of a heavy substrate, it should be safe. I haven't had any problems with tipping yet; just make sure that you give it plenty of support at the base, and you should be fine

 

[thelastbetta]

What about styrofoam, is that safe?

 

[Andie]

Hmm. I wouldn't use it personally, just because I'm paranoid and have awful visions of itty bitty pieces of polystyrene eventually being nibbled on/breaking off to be swallowed by greedy bettas.

That said, half a polystyrene cup is what a lot of people use to encourage their males to bubblenest; it's just not going to be left in the water for an extended length of time. Hmm. Maybe if you coated it with something nontoxic it might be safe? SRC built some beautiful foam caves, but she did mention they were quite light, so you might have a hard time anchoring a foam divider. Also, it wouldn't permit water to flow through, which is important if your tank is big enough to require a filtration system. It certaibnly would bear looking in to, though, if you have the equipment on hand.

 

[BigC]

Hi,
I would buy some plastic "E" or "U" profile. The "E" profile is shown in the link below to show you vaguely what I mean. Silicone strips to the base, front and back panes of your tank. Then you can obtain some coloured acrylic sheets cut them to size to slot into the profiles and drill some uniform holes in the sheeting to allow transference of heat. The beauty of this method is that you can lift out the sheets to open up the tank again or have as many compartments as you wish. Your Betta's cannot see each other. I use this when breeding killis of the same species side by side as the males are distracted by each other and forget about breeding.
http/www.dartfrog.co.uk/equipment/misc.html
Scroll down to see the "E" profile.
Regards
BigC