More Bettas!

[eudielynn]

Due to a small financial windfall that we weren't expecting, I find myself able to get a divided minibow for my guys at work.

After I thought about it, I decided that instead of dividing a 2.5 gal I would really like to divide up a 5 gal for 3 bettas. That would open up a space in the minibow for another betta and then I would have the two 1 gal aquaviews ready for two more little guys.

Has anyone tried dividing up the 5 gal? I would do it with the report cover binders and craft mesh like I have read about on here. I'm just not sure about the dimensions of the 5 gal if the mesh would still fit snugly. I've never even looked at the mesh yet, so I don't have a clue what to get. Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Elise]

Are you talking about a minibow 5 gal? If so, I've been thinking about splitting mine for a while. I haven't had the nerve to do it yet, so keep us posted.

ps-sorry I can't help. I was going to do it with report covers and craft mesh too. But I wonder if the angle of the front will be a problem?

 

[eudielynn]

Yes, I meant the 5 gal minibow. That was my concern as well. I may go ahead and get it and bring the things in to work. I work in a maintenance department, and the guys here can do just about anything. If I can't make it work I know one of them can. (You don't know how much money they have saved me over the years. )

 

[BettaMomma]

Oooh - how wonderful!
Do you bring your fridge and stuff in if it needs fixin'?

I have actually looked into dividing up a minibow 5 also.
My problem is that I always want to keep my options open for opening that tank up to a one-fish tank, so I wouldn't want to put aquarium sealant on it to hold anything in place. Maybe you weren't planning on sealing it in anyway, I'm not sure.

I'd be interested in finding out what you come up with too.

 

[eudielynn]

I am planning on using the sealant. Don't want to take any chances of the little ones escaping to parts unknown.

No, I don't bring the fridge and stuff in, they come to my house to fix 'em. They've got me spoiled!!!

 

[FalconStorm]

You know, bettamomma, you can always remove that sealant again later. All it takes is vinegar. Just rinse the tank really well afterward.

 

[eudielynn]

That's really good to know in case I screw this up.

 

[OrkyBetta]

Here's my plan on how to do this:

splurge. Buy the tank dividers at the LFS, the ones with the clips on the side. Buy the smallest ones you can find, (five gallons, 10 gallons) Now for the fun part. You will need access to a bandsaw. Cut the plastic rims to fit in the tank. Measure! Now, boil some water. Plastic melts. Pop the rims into the large pot of boiling water, use tongs so you can get the whole thing submerged. Submege them for 10-15 seconds, until the plastic is bendy. Then bend them slightly in a curve. Let them harden this way. Cut the canvas into a ( ) shape. You will need to pop the canvas into the rims before you attach the rims to the glass. They won't slide into the rims when the canvas is in that shape. Then you can clip them to the top of the tank, under the gravel, they will stay snug.
Or you could seal them.

 

[eudielynn]

I have looked at diveders at the LFS, thinking I could possibly find 5 gal ones and use them, but the smallest I could find was the ten gallon. We don't have a bandsaw at home, but there is one here at work, of course here I have no stove to boil water. Hmmm, I'll have to work on that one. I'm not sure what canvas you are talking about. Do I need to get canvas, too?

 

[OrkyBetta]

Nope, canvas comes in the divider kits. AQ2 makes nice dividers for 10 gallons that can be cut to size. They stay on the sides, but are removesble when you want to move them.

 

[eudielynn]

Sounds good, I'll see what I can find. Thanks!

 

[OrkyBetta]

Welcome! This worked for me!

 

[OohFeeshy]

If your worried about siliconing, just put it along the back wall of the tank and the base. That way it isn't as obvious