Non Permanent Dividers?

[waldo]

I would like to divide my 5 gallon but I don't want to make it permanent, any ideas? would hot glue work instead of silicone?

 

[Greener]

I went to Pets Mart and bought dividers that have clips that go over the rim of the tank to hold the divider in place and those have worked for me without any of my bettas squirming into the other side. I pile extra rocks at the bottom on both sides to help keep that area solid and I also put tape on the outside of the tank to make sure the clips stay in place. I used a 10 G divider because my 5 G is tall and then I cut some craft mesh to fit into the the bars that fit up against the tank, instead of trying to cut the stuff they gave me and then in my 10 G I just used the mesh stuff they gave because it was the proper size.

 

[Durbkat]

Well I don't think you can use glue in a fish tank because of the chemicals in it.

 

[Chri$]

you are right durbkat you shouldn't use any glues stc what havn't been designed for aquarium use, you'll probably end up killing your betta

 

[MegTheFish]

http/www.mushi.petfish.net/diydividers.html

They will stay up without the silicone, just keep them in place with gravel/sand.

 

[winddancer70]

These are the dividers I use.http/www.mushi.petfish.net/diydividers.html ..If you are going to use them without the sealant make sure you watch the bottom..I add rock or gravel so they can't sneak under.

 

[BigC]

http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/acatalog/...viders_227.html

 

[waldo]

Thanks

 

[Lexie3787]

This just reminded me- a warning for anyone with Minibows 2.5 gallon, 5 gallon, or 7 gallon. Don't use the dividers for them because they don't divded the bow front, and bettas still squeeze through. I came home one day to find two badly hurt bettas on the same side.

 

[SRC]

This just reminded me- a warning for anyone with Minibows 2.5 gallon, 5 gallon, or 7 gallon. Don't use the dividers for them because they don't divded the bow front, and bettas still squeeze through. I came home one day to find two badly hurt bettas on the same side.

You can divide them..you just have to be a little creative.

Here's what you need:
piece of plexiglass (ask for a scrap piece at Lowe's..you can usually find one large enough)
plexiglass cutter (it's a special knife..not expensive)
White paper (construction paper or card stock works great, but construction paper is cheaper lol)
Pencil
Sharpie Marker
Scissors
Bowfront tank
piece ofsandpaper or a heavy/course grade nail file (from the Beauty Supply store (Sally's)..the black ones)
tank silicone
drill
block of filter foam
cardboard box, flattened out

Take the tank (empty of course lol) and lay it on it's side, on a piece of the white paper, and trace it.

Then cut out the traced pattern.

Slide the cut-out in your tank and find where the gaps are.

Retrace it, taking in account where the gaps were before.

Refit inside the tank, this may take several attempts to get it just right.

Note: be sure that your lid will fit on..sometimes you have to make a few notches at the top of the tank...where the lip of the hood has to fit over the edge of the tank. This is why you use paper first lol.

Once it fits get out your piece of Plexiglass.

Note: It helps to have already done this when you go to pick out a piece of plexiglass...so you know it will be large enough.

Take the Sharpie and trace the pattern onto the plexiglass.

Use the plexiglass cutter to cut out the pattern, then fit it in your tank.

Note: Use the piece of cardboard underneath..otherwise whatever you are cutting on..will be cut as well.

If it will not slide right into place check around the edges and see if you cut it outside the pattern...if so use the file to smooth the edges down.

This may take a few attempts, but it will eventually fit.

Note: If you notice that the hood of your tank still doesn't fit..use the file to fil e the plexiglass down until it does let the lid fit right.

After the divider fits, you will need to drill several holes in the divider.

Note: If you plan to use the filtration part of your min-bow front you will need to drill holes in the divider, so that both sides are filtered. If it is not going to be filtered...no holes are needed. Make sure to use a drill bit smaller then your betta...so the betta cannot wiggle through the holes....they are quite crafty little buggers!!

Silicone the divider into place. If the edges don't fit exactly you can use the silicone to fill in any small gaps.

Note: you can also silicone either gravel or a piece of aquarium background to the divider so that they fish canot see each other. Just make sure not to cover the holes up..and if you use the background option..after you are done re-hole it..so it has filtration.

Put the filter foam on the intake. This will #1. slow the intake so it doesn't suck the betta on that side to death, and #2. reduce the output so the betta on that side doesn't get swooshed around.


It took me approx. 1 hour to make the divider for my 2.5 mini-bow tank. Took me about 15 min. the prior day to think this up lol.

 

[Lexie3787]

I know you could always make a divider im saying dont use the one they sell with it as its not shaped for the bow front, its shaped for a regular rectangle