Question About Dividers

[Winterlily]

I've fallen victim to MTS already and have already become addicted to my little male Betta and his way goofy personality, and want more. Soooo... trying to make a decision on a new, big, tank. Obviously I want to have bettas, or mostly bettas, in this tank, so I'm figuring on dividing it up, either using store-bought dividers or the DIY way of binder clips (or poster clips) and the plastic canvas stuff. Likely the latter. My question here is, if I house males next to each other, even though the divider is not CLEAR they can still see each other, is this a source of constant stress? How do I avoid that? I can't put all kinds of plants on the sides because I assume the water wouldn't flow through well then? Also, about how much room do you think each betta should have? Right now I'm deciding on a tank either 48"L/13"W and on 36"L/15"W. Not sure what a reasonable width for each "section" should be. I want them to have enough room!

Edited to ask also: I read somewhere on here someone saying never to use a background on the tank because it increases the "mirror" type effect and shadows etc and makes male bettas feel constantly on guard and not secure in their own space. Is that right?? The acrylic tanks come with a choice of clear back or black back, I was going to get the black for sure. Ought I not??

I just posted elsewhere asking for advice on the actual tanks, it's sort of related to this but I didn't want to post nearly the same thing in both places. Here is the link to that post if you want to have a look. If anyone has opinions on the kind of tank (mostly acrylic vs glass), please do weigh in. I am just clueless and don't know how to proceed.

Thanks!!

 

[Platygirl11]

You could have an all female betta tank, depending on what size your tank is. How many gallons? (I'm sorry, I'm not very good at math)

 

[Winterlily]

You could have an all female betta tank, depending on what size your tank is. How many gallons? (I'm sorry, I'm not very good at math)

I may end up with some females, but I definitely want mostly males... just love those flowing fins.

Gallons will be either 40, 45, or 55 - depending on whether I go acrylic or glass.

 

[Platygirl11]

If it were me...
*get the 55*
I'm not exactly sure how you would divide that, but you could store 11 males, and each of them could have 5 gal!
If not (and this is using the 5 gal/betta rule)
40 could have 8
45 could have 9.
How could you divide that???

 

[Winterlily]

I'm not exactly sure how you would divide that, but you could store 11 males, and each of them could have 5 gal!

Thing is, if you're figuring just by the gallon, then yeah. But picture it the other way: The tank is 48 inches long. If you put dividers so that you had 11 spaces, that's something like only 4 1/4 inches across for each one. They'd have about 15 inches front to back, yeah, but each section would be very thin if you see what I mean. Feels like that isn't enough somehow - I'd like them to have a bit more "front" room so they can swim around in a wider rectangle if you kwim?

Also, does anyone have an opinion on whether male bettas are going to be kept constantly stressed if they can (mostly) see each other through the divider? I wouldn't use the completely clear stuff, but they'll still be able to see each other - dunno how I can avoid that?

And any words of wisdom about the background question?

Thanks!

 

[tibby25731]

I would give them at least 6 inches at the front of tank. You can then have 8 bettas! wow I would sooo love to do that
I sand down the dividers so it is more like looking through a frosted bathroom window - they will know the other fish are there but after a few days they will get bored of each other and stop flaring
I have a tank with a mirror background, but it soon gets algae on it and so the bettas stop flaring at themselves. i find that when lights go on, they all rush off for a flare, then come straight back to me for food.... i do catch them flaring again occasionally, but again, it seems the initial attraction wears off after a few days. And it is quite easy to put a few plants etc at the back to mask the mirror some.

 

[xweeqtx]

I've got a 5ft tank split into 6 compartments for male, and a few additional compartments which have an undecided use. Each male has 5 1/2 inches across the front, and the width of the tank is 13". Makes plenty of space!

 

[karigupi]

I have my betta tank divided using the plastic canvas & binder thingies. Its a 3ft tank & I have prob about a ft for each section, two male betta's in two sections & a group of females in the third. You could probably put in another section, but it starts to look abit thin.

They can see the shadow of each other & for the first day they did flare at each other alot, but now they are used to it & dont really bother anymore.

 

[Winterlily]

Great - thanks! I will post a pic when I get the tank divided and set up, cycled, and fish in place! I'm excited! Glad to know that the dividers will work and won't have them constantly stressed!

Samantha