Diy Betta Tank Divider?

Bettatamer

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Hi guys, I am upgrading my freshwater tropical to a 29 gallon and now I have decided to spoil my three betta with the old ten gallon. But there's one problem, I don't know how to make a divider for them! Please help me get my fishes into their new home.
 
What you can do is buy a piece of plexy glass and drill a couple small holes through it so the water can go in between the layers. What you should do then is sand the glass so the betta fish can't see through the glass. When you sand it with sandpaper, it will become fogged which give them the appearance of seeing another fish somewhat.. but not really. It works out great. You can then silicone the pieces of glass together.
 
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I'm planning on dividing a ten gal for 3 Bettas as well :)

I haven't started yet but I've already named the 10 gal Cybil (the lady known for multiple personalities) cause I want each section to have its own theme. - so excited!

Anyway, returning to your point, somewhere on this forum is instructions on how to make dividers from some craft store thing and project binders - I think the cost ends up being somewhere around $5 USD. I'm not a proficient phone/online user and I'm on my phone right now, but when I get on my laptop, I'll post the link.
 
Here is the way I divide my tanks for my bettas.  One pack of each of these items is all that is needed.  Craft mesh, report binder covers (only using the plastic spine pieces), and aquarium safe silicon.  If buying from Walmart, you can get everything there for less than $10.  You can buy silicon that is in the fish section or the GE I silicon -- not the GE II which has mold/mildew inhibitors which will kill the fish.  Line off the tank and lay it on its side. Cut your report binder spines to fit your tank then lay a bead of silicon all the way down the spine and then press it firmly on the glass of the tank.  Repeat until you have all the spines secured to the walls of the tank.  You will need to let the tank cure for at least 24 hours but I recommend around 48 hours.  After curing, cut your craft mesh to fit in the spines that are secured to the tank wall, then slide them in the spines.  At this point you are complete with the dividers.  You can put another spine across the top of the craft mesh if you want to.  Then fill in your substrate, decor, and water.  Then add fish and you are complete.  Here are some pics:
 
 
Craft mesh

 
Report binder covers

 
Tank set up with dividers while curing

 
Completed tank 

The bowing of the top of the divider on the right came from the back edge not being all the way in the report cover spine.  After taking this pic -- I adjusted things and fixed that issue and the divider no longer bowed at the top.
 
Wildbetta said:
 You can buy silicon that is in the fish section or the GE I silicon -- not the GE II which has mold/mildew inhibitors which will kill the fish.  Line off the tank and lay it on its side. Cut your report binder spines to fit your tank then lay a bead of silicon all the way down the spine and then press it firmly on the glass of the tank.  Repeat until you have all the spines secured to the walls of the tank.  You will need to let the tank cure for at least 24 hours but I recommend around 48 hours.  
 
 
 
 
If you use the silicon adhesive, is it easy to remove later if you want to convert the tank back to an undivided tank?
 
It is quite easy to remove the silicon.  You just drain the tank and remove it with a razor blade.  Comes right off
 
I think it is also worth noting that betta are jumpers, so you'll have to watch for the fish hopping the dividers. Personally, I think a ten gallon should only be divided twice, but having it thrice divided is okay.

You'll also want to be sure that each side is getting adequate heating and filtration.
 
alright guys thank you so much! I just need to get on down to Walmart now!
 

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