Dividing My Tank

[~Bella~]

I would absolutely love to get myself another betta but there's no way in the world i would be allowed to get myself another tank. I've been looking at DIY tank dividers and the two most popular seem to be using plastic mesh stuff (we have it at home, mum uses it for craft). There's the one using the report binders and gluing them to the side of the tank and then there one's where you put suction cups on the bottom of the mesh and just suction it to the bottom of the tank. I definitely prefer the suction cup idea because i don't especially want report binders stuck to my tank forever, especially if i want to use it for something other than bettas one day. So i would like to know if anyone else divides their tank this way and 1. if it's sturdy enough to contain betta one from betta two, and 2. does anyone have any pics of their tank divided this way so i can see what it looks like in action.

Here's my tank with my current betta, James. It's a 5 gallon tank. Excuse the dirty glass...lol.

Thanks in advance!
Bella

Oh yeah, i also wanted to know if cleaning was still just as easy.

 

[timmystood]

Some would say getting another betta would make you over-stocked. Personnally, if you have a good filter I wouldn't think so. I would go for the suction cup method!

 

[~Bella~]

How would that be overstocked? They'd each have a 2.5 gallon section, i know lots of people keep bettas in that or less. I am going to go for the suction cup method, i've suggested the idea to mum and she didn't seem to mind the idea of me getting a second betta so i figuire if she doesn't mind neither will dad (it's usually mum who is anti-pets). Does the plastic stay upright and straight or does it go kinda wobbley?

 

[TimCAD]

=>=> REPLY DELETED <=<=

Because: It was a lame-brained idea. The fish would knock it loose.

 

[~Bella~]

The only thing stopping me from doing that would be the hang-on filter. I've got a cut up bottle slowing the current which would stop me from being able to squish the binder in place...wouldn't it? Or have i misread what you meant. I'll have a look at what i might be able to do.

 

[liz2]

whatever you use you need to be really careful it is a tight fit, they can get under tiny gaps as I found out. Also can jump over top so that needs to be watched as well. Let us know how you get on and what you decide.

 

[Joby]

I use craft canvas and report binders and if you make an exact fit you can just slot them in, no sillicone so it can be removed easily when you don't want it divided anymore. Never had them float off or anything

What you need

Assembled

divided tank

Good luck if you decide to go ahead and divide and show pics if you do

 

[BWBettas]

That looks great joby

Bret

 

[~Bella~]

*squeals with excitement* That looks perfect for what i want! Where do you find the report binders? I'm planning on going divider material shopping during the week. There's still the matter of calmly explaining to dad that 2 in a divided tank will be no different to just 1 by itself....but as my anti-pet mum isn't bothered by the idea i don't think it'll be a problem. Oohhh, i can just see a pretty crowntail occupying the second half.

Now, if/when i divide the tank how should i go about cleaning? At the moment i do about a 50% water change each weekend but i can get to all the gravel with the gravel vac, i won't be able to once it's divided will i? So do i just vac one side one week and the other side the next or should i do smaller changes twice a week?

 

[Taridan]

I've found report binders at Staples (Comes with a clear plastic report cover too) and at wall mart without the clear plastic. I've put a binder piece on either side ofthe mesh, put it in the tank and used paper clips at the top to hold it in place.

 

[bettas4me]

Joby's right...if you make it an exact fit you don't need glue. I did the same thing for my tank. First, I cut the plastic canvas a little larger than I thought it needed to be. Then, I cut one strip of squares off at a time until I had a perfect fit. I still had to trim a little off when I added the report cover strips to the edges. To make sure that the piece does not move around when I syphon the tank, I "sewed" a large piece of plastic canvas on the bottom with fishing line. It is covered by the gravel.

I'm not sure where you live, but I got my report covers at the Dollar Tree. Six came in a pack for a dollar. Good luck!!

 

[TammyLiz]

Joby's right...if you make it an exact fit you don't need glue. I did the same thing for my tank. First, I cut the plastic canvas a little larger than I thought it needed to be. Then, I cut one strip of squares off at a time until I had a perfect fit. I still had to trim a little off when I added the report cover strips to the edges. To make sure that the piece does not move around when I syphon the tank, I "sewed" a large piece of plastic canvas on the bottom with fishing line. It is covered by the gravel.

I'm not sure where you live, but I got my report covers at the Dollar Tree. Six came in a pack for a dollar. Good luck!!

Six for a dollar?! Man, I spent way too much on mine, then. I have a dollar tree near me, too. Were they multi-colored or did they come in a pack that all matched?

 

[~Bella~]

I live in Australia but i have a fair idea where i might find some now. Thanks for all your help everyone, i'll post photos when/if i divide my tank.

 

[bettas4me]

TammyLiz, my Dollar Tree had two different sets. One set comes with two red, two blue, and two white. The other set is all black. I bought one of each set thinking that I might use the colored ones. However, I ended up using the black ones because it matched the black plastic on the tank. I think they are much harder than the ones at other stores, but it really worked as an advantage. They hold the canvas very tight.

 

[~Bella~]

Just thought i'd let you all know that i can go ahead and divide + get a second betta! Whooo! I'm going supply shopping in the morning but probably won't be able to get the betta till next weekend.