new tank

[fishwatcher]

Hi! I am thinking of getting a 10-gal tank to house a male betta of mine. I am planning on dividing it to about 3-4 gals and 6-7 gals. The 3-4-gal side will hold the male betta and maybe the 2 ADFs I have. The 6-7-gal side is what I'm not sure about. I would love to have a dwarf puffer, but I think I may need a little more experience before I try that, as I've heard they are sensitive and all of that such stuff. So, what would you put in the other side if it were yours? I do not want neons. Other than that, though, I'm pretty open to anything, ranging from fish to any other critters.
I plan on using my floss from my present tank to cycle it. I will also have a sand substrate, probably, as I have quite a bit of sand left from the other tank.
Any other things I should know about/do?
Thanks!!!

 

[WILDER]

If you are going to divide the tank how will you get the filter to run through them all, not much room for most fish in the 6 to 7 gal area, maybe some platys.

 

[fishwatcher]

I think they make the dividers that have small holes in them, right? If not, then I may not be able to divide it... I'll just try to find some super peaceful, non-nippy fish to try with the male betta.

 

[WILDER]

Yes they do here on the betta section.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=96160

 

[fishwatcher]

Thanks for that link... I've pm'd the person now to get info on the dividers.

Are there any other ideas for fish/critter for the other side?

 

[GSD]

well mabe divide it up and get afew bettas!
theres not much you can do with a 6-7gallon
mabe afew guppies or a pair of platies
cories
ADFs or afew shrimp!

 

[fishwatcher]

I'm looking more and more at the Dwarf Puffer, now. Do you think 1 would be ok with a divider and a male betta and 2 adfs on the other side? If I have a DP, I'll make it an even 5/5 division to give the adfs more room.
What do you think of that?

 

[fishwatcher]

any more ideas? anyone?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi fishwatcher

Why divide it at all? If you put a small school of corys at the bottom, the fish will naturally divide their territories into top and bottom.

Corys with a betta is a great combination! Just be sure that if you include the little frogs, the top is well covered to prevent escape. It will be lovely and active too.

 

[fishwatcher]

I'm dividing it to add a Dwarf Puffer to the tank, I think. That's if I don't have any better ideas. I'll actually have it divided into 5-gal, 2 gal, and 3 gal sections. One betta in the 2-gal, 1 betta and 2 frogs in the 3 gal, DP in the 5 gal. Both frogs and 1 betta are each in 1-gal bowls and the other bettta is in a 1 1/2 gal bowl, so I think it'll be better for them all.
And I won't have 3 bowls to clean out every 2 days!

 

[mandi]

I agree with Inchworm ... I wouldn't divide it at all, and get a group of small cory catfish.

IMHO a dwarf puffer wouldn't be a good choice in a divided tank.
They need a mature tank with extremely clean water, and they're very messy eaters (like all puffers) so you'd constantly be gravel-vacuuming (which with a tank-divider in the way could get annoying). Dwarf puffers are also very aggressive and territorial -- I think it would be stressful to him to see the betta and ADFs on the other side of the divider. I wouldn't put it past one to try and jump over the divider or grab a fin or frog-leg through the divider-holes. I think it probably could be done, but it doesn't seem like a good idea. Perhaps someone else could offer more insight though...

 

[fishwatcher]

I would have to divide it to add 2 male bettas to it, wouldn't I?? THey'll fight to the death, right?

 

[fishwatcher]

OK, here's what I'm thinking. Divide into 2 5-gal sections, put 1 betta and 2 ADFs in one side, the other betta and 2 albino cory cats in the other?
Would that work?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi fishwatcher

That's not really the best situation for the corys. They are schooling fish and should be kept in larger groups. Two is not enough. Also, half of a 10 gallon tank is not much room for them to swim around in.

 

[fishwatcher]

OK, then no cories. Is there anything else I could put in with the other betta (one will have the 2 ADFs)? Maybe a snail?