Ok, Yet Another Tank Question

[dgwebster]

I got my first betta splendin and love him. i now want another. So im looking at some small tanks here, details:

all rectangular tanks.

*12" X 8" X 8" with plastic hood..........................................…...................................£9.99

**16" X 8" X 8" with plastic hood................................................................................£10.99

***18" X 10" X 10" with plastic hood..................................................................…........£15.99

* as the 16" is £1 dearer, I can rule this one out.

16" and 18"

There are clear benefits to having the larger tank, but as this will be a single betta only tank, would like to keep itfairly decent for the betta, but try to keep the foot print low.

The 16" works out at 4.4 gal (us) and the 18" is 7.7 gal (us). I believe that bettas are more inclined to lateral movement, and so the extra 2" height would not make alot of difference if this were true. but an extra 2" width may/may not. that or i may get the 18" and lop a bit of for filtration in order to keep tank turbulance down.

EDIT: what about the 18" tank divide into two for two bettas? how cruel would that be?

 

[Taridan]

I don't think dividing it would be cruel, so lon as you adjusted the filter and filter input right so it wasn't just dumping into one side and making a big current... Way I'm looking at it is, most males are happy in a 2.5 gallon... if you split the 7.7 gallon, lets just say 7.5 for easier calculations, it still at least 3 gallons per fish.

 

[Joby]

I have the 18"x10"x10" which I use as spawn tanks, but I have also had them divided with 3 males in. You are quite right that lateral movement is more important than height with bettas. As they are air breathers then a tall tank is less desireable

 

[liz2]

My babies...sorry I mean grown up boys...are all in 2 gal tanks I tried to split but we had a battle and I dont know how the little nippers did it...as they love clean water if you get a tank too large it makes your life difficult. It also means that your kitchen never looks tidy as you always have water standing. I use an old water filter jug to keep water in just for quick top ups...hubby hadnt realised it was fish water...he has been using it to drink out of...said did you not notice a bit of gravel at bottom of jug?

 

[dgwebster]

Ok, tank split into 4 sections, 3 equal sections (not picture is not to scale) and a 4th long thin back one. undergravel filter with the power filter emptying into the back section, allowing water to settle before entering the betta sections? Sorry for the basic crude image, but its to give a rough idea in visualisation

 

[LoachLover]

I have both my males each in a planted 5 gallon with a few cory cats, they're thriving.