How to divide an hex 5

[BettasRFriends]

Well from my old post someone suggested to divide the hex 5 to hold 2 bettas because the female cant live in there together. So, how the heck do you divide the tank?

 

[OohFeeshy]

Why not keep it for one betta and get another small cheap tank for another? Surely you will hve happier bettas.

 

[SRC]

a peice of plexiglass or that plastic canvas they sell at Walmart?

 

[BettasRFriends]

If i were to divide the tank for 2 bettas, i want them to be able to see each other to flare each day but also enable me to block their view.

 

[cutechic]

I make my dividers from report covers (the spines) & plastic canvas. I use black plastic canvas because the bettas can't see each other quite as well, and the black fits with the frame of the tank. Any colour works though.

Take everything (water included) out of your tank and dry completely. Slide the plastic canvas into the spine of the report cover (both should be previously cut to size). Then, glue the spines of the report covers to the sides of the tank. Wait 24-48 hours, and then you can fill it up with water again. Put a few plants or decorations on either side of the plastic canvas so they can 'hide' if they want.

Excuse me if I'm missing something, it's late. There are a few articles in DIY if you want to take a look. You'll need to do a quick search for them.

 

[Flashfire]

Use glass, it's way cheaper than plexiglass and is pretty stable. Just divide the tank in half and silicone the glass into it.

 

[Lexie3787]

What about the filter? Will it only filter one side?

 

[DannyBoy17]

What about the filter? Will it only filter one side?

That's why I would use plexiglass. Then, all you have to do is drill a few holes for water movement.

DB

 

[littlefishie]

Plastic canvas is really nice, but you should definitely go with black. I found the white canvas was too easy for my boys to see each other through and they went mad.

If you follow cutechic's instructions, you could end up with something like this, as this is how mine was when it was divided:

 

[littlefishie]

Forgot to mention, about filtering..

I had my filter placed in the middle. It's an internal filter but you can change the direction of the output. Mine was right next to the divider, and I had the output aimed at the other side of the divider. That way the water circulated through the whole tank rather than one side. It worked pretty well.

 

[BettasRFriends]

The filter for the hex 5 is odd. On the far left side is the uh...intake and the far right side is the current. BTW littlefishie, is it possible for me to, at will, let the betta see each other or not?

 

[cutechic]

I've got the same hex 5 as you. If you divide it down the middle, your setup will be like littlefishie's: the filter intake tube will be on one side of the divider, and the output will be on the other side. Dividing it will be a bit tricky, I forgot the filter hangs inside the tank a bit. The divider will have to be right up against the bottom of the filter to prevent the bettas from jumping to the other side. I'm not sure it would work

The only way you can let the bettas see each other at will is to have the divider completely concealed by plastic plants/ ornaments/ etc, and removing them when you want the bettas to see each other. I think they'd be just as happy seeing each other whenever they want, with only a few plants or ornaments along each side of the divider to break their lines of sight.

 

[BettasRFriends]

Thanks cutechic for your advice. If I cant manage to divide it, then i'll just let my male betta have the whole 5 gallon to himself =].

 

[littlefishie]

If you want to prevent them from seeing each other you can either break the lines of sight with plants/decorations, or go find some plastic. If you get the front half of a binder or something, you could use that to card them.. I just wouldn't be too sure about leaving it in the tank all the time.