Splitting my 5 gallon tank

[BetasRock]

Hello, I am planning on splitting my 5 gallon tank with plexiglass. I've only had my one betta for about a month and I already want another!! I will either use clear caulk or plaster. I have one of those penn plaxx corner filters that filter using a air stone....I was wondering how I should go about using this to filter both sides..should I just drew 4-5 holes in the plexiglass?? I dont know really how to go about filtering it......Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

BetasRock

 

[AlexsDaddy]

To adhear the plexiglass to the tank, it would be best to use aquarium sealent. Normal clear caulk contains contamanints(sp) that will harm/kill your bettas. They sell aquarium sealent in small tubes in wal mart in the fish section. Lowes sells large tubes meant for use in caulk guns. For a 5 gal you will probably need a large tube. For filtering you could drill holes in the divider, or you could just get another filter and have one on each side drilling no holes. You can split the airline with a gang valve and use one air pump for both filters if the air pump is big enough. That might even be the better way to go. If you get a good watertight seal on the divider it will prevent the spread of disease should one come down with something. Good luck with the project! Hope this helps!

Edited to add: If you decide to drill the divider and go with one filter, You will need to drill a whole bunch of small holes to insure good water flow. I wouldn't go any bigger then 1/8 inch for the holes.

 

[BetasRock]

Thanks a bunch AlexsDaddy!! I'll try lowes and see if i can get some of that do u know the exact name of the aquarium sealant if not thats ok i''ll just look really good.....I think i'll make a bunch of 1/8th inch holes in the plexiglass towards the top of the glass and a bunch at the bottom....I got one more question where can u get plexiglass?? thanks!

BettasRock

 

[BetasRock]

Anyone know where to buy plexiglass??

 

[SMSBrunetteGirl]

Ummm Ebay?I dunno I just heard that ppl get everything from there

 

[Yenko]

Your hardware store has plexiglass; it will be in sheets much larger than you need and is expensive. It's not really economical unless you are doing a big project like the 10 gallon one I mentioned; it would be cheaper to buy a second 5 gallon tank.

 

[reddeerhobbiest]

at my lfs ive seen tank dividers for under $15. that would seem the best route to take.

 

[BetasRock]

Ok I'll see what i can find and see if it works...im up at college and i need a tape measure to get the specs....I'll let u know how the projects go! Thanks for your replies!

BetasRock

 

[AlexsDaddy]

Lowes sells plexiglass and I think they cut it to size too. Don't quote me on it though. It's usually back around the window and door section. Don't know the name of the sealent. I think it's a white tube with red lettering that says aquarium sealent. You might have to go up and down the isle a half a dozen times before you find it though. Their silicone isle is HUGE!!! Oh, when you drill the plexiglass, make sure you use a brand new drill bit, the slowest speed possible, and extremely light pressure or you will crack it unless you get the high impact stuff. That's expensive stuff, but you don't have to worry about it cracking on you. You can bend it in half and it won't break. It'll crease, but won't break.

 

[BetasRock]

I found a hardware store that sells plexiglass and will cut it to size here in my college town. How thick of plexiglass should i get?? Thanks!

BetasRock

 

[SRC]

With it being a 5 gallon I would reccomend 1/4"..it will stand a heavier load then 1/8"...but if you don't go with 1/4" definately nothing below 1/8".

 

[BetasRock]

Thanks SRC, I'll pry just go 1/8 with holes in it...since it will have holes in it the pressure won't be as much...thanks!


BetasRock

 

[yvez9]

you won't get very good wterflow though.... i woudl recommend a second corner filter and a little air gang valve. It will cost you around 10 bucks for both

 

[BetasRock]

hmm well i was plannin on puttin around 8 1/8 inch holes toward the top 8 of em in the middle and 8 right above the gravel....do you think that would be good enough??

 

[Discomafia]

The more the better, it won't hurt. Unless you're paying for them to drill the holes as well. You don't want all the poop/uneaten food to collect to one side...