Splitting A Tank

[Larkspur]

Is it possible to split a tank that is already filled? I know I see where people use new/empty aquariums and then set them up with dividers using the silicone glue. I'm just wondering if anyone has attempted or if it is even possible to make a divided tank with a tank that's already inhabited. I may in the future divide my 5.5 gallon. I've been observing my Betta and he for the most part doesn't do a whole lot of swimming around so much as staring out my tank at me when I pass by or flirting/fighting with his reflection in the glass. (I started to change my background so he wouldn't see himself, but he seems to actually LIKE it and it isn't distracting enough that he does it all day, just occasionally now)

I didn't plan on splitting my tank at all, but after seeing how he really doesn't do a whole lot and how he seems pretty dang happy with himself just kind of taking things easy...I asked myself...why not at least look in to it?

The only downside is I'd have to put my baby BN on one side or the other. I think that alone might be a deciding benefactor not to go forth with the dividing idea. My BN catfish uses the entire tank to explore and he's so active I'd kind of hate to cramp his style just to make me happier with another betta.

 

[Channti]

When I divided my 5 gallon, I left my betta in. My divider is wedged between the glass and held in place mainly by how tight it fits to the glass. I've got rocks along the bottom holding it in place. I used $2.00 craft mesh from Wal-Mart (or any craft store) and "Report Cover" spines. I found these at a local office store. I've got a set of these in the mail (http/www.petzonesd.com/product_info.php?products_id=270&osCsid=94dd0fd980948e7eaaaee0c347375337) which I plan to test when I get them. My betta's so far seem fine (I had to double up the mesh so they couldn't see each other though). I plan to keep this divider in place for a couple months and then see if i want something more permanent. I did quite a bit of fiddling to make it fit tight to the glass. I only added betta #2 today, but Betta #1 has been in there for a week with the home-made divider.

It is possible, just keep in mind that the divider that isn't stuck permanently to the glass will be more finicky than a divider siliconed to the glass.

As for the baby BN, a divider like what I'm using right now could possibly fold if the BN decided to climb it. I keep only the 2 bettas in my tank, so that wasn't as much of an issue for me. I expect that the divider-suction cup I linked would be much more stable and suitable for the BN in a betta tank.

 

[Larkspur]

Wow thanks so much!

I might try what you did and just keep my tank split off for a good week or so. I'll see how the betta reacts and the BN. I might have to move the BN back and forth on the occasion so he equally cleans each part of the tank. He can't live in this tank forever anyway. He's going to outgrow it. Right now he's at the most 2 inches long from head to tip of tail.

Sounds like it is fairly cheap to set up so if it doesn't work I'm not blowing off a ton of money. Might buy the supplies and fiddle with things on Wednesday after work.

BTW...nice tank and bettas!

 

[Channti]

In total the current divider contains:
-2 pieces of craft mesh ($3.00)
-2 report cover spines ($0.60)
-4 Lee's Airline suction cups ($3.00)

Total cost: $6.60 canadian.

When you divide the tank, wait a few days before buying another betta. When I first put in a divider, my betta managed to find a way through and was teasing me by switching sides when I wasn't looking and not doing it while i was. If that happens, cut a wider divider and sink it further into the gravel.

Watch the BN carefully. The last thing you want is the divider to topple and your Bettas to go at each other. Also watch the betta when you add a 2nd one. Mine could see the other betta through one piece of Mesh and kept headbutting the mesh (he's a strong little guy). I also cut my mesh so it is less than 1 cm from the lid of my tank to prevent jump-overs.

I wish you luck with dividing your tank. When I assembled the divider itself, I did move my fish into a tupperware container for about 10 minutes while I checked for gaps along the glass.

Make sure your water flow is good too. You can't tell from that pic, but I'm running an Elite Stingray 5, with the flow aimed at the divider so the surface moves constantly and have two airstones (one in each back corner) to keep waterflow going. My filter is on the Right side of the tank, my heater on the left, and my thermometer on the right side.

The circle on top of my divider at the front that you can see is not part of my divider. It's a makeshift loop that i use to stop their food from flying around the surface from the filter's power.

If you have any questions, feel free to give me a shout via PM.

 

[Larkspur]

I have fairly good water movement. I always buy filters rated for tanks larger than what I own. This one is good up to 15 gallons I believe and this is a 5.5 gallon tank. I will play with things as advised. I can totally see my current betta playing mind games with me and switching sides while getting things perfect. haha

 

[Larkspur]

Just an update. My boyfriend and I went on a wild goose chase. Who knew finding the end pieces would be so HARD. Walmart didn't have them! Looks good, but I'm not happy with the water flow on the side the filter isn't on. (As in right side of image) Going to leave it up overnight and see how things go. Wish me luck!

 

[Channti]

Awesome! looks good. Yeah, those end pieces are a pain in the rear to find. The manager of my Staples thought I was crazy, and I ended up finding them at a little mom-and-pop office store in my town.

That was what I meant about the filter.. The plastic really slows down the current on the side where the filter isn't located.

You might have to double-up the mesh depending on the temperament of your bettas (I had to).

Careful at the top where your suction cups are. looks like they're tucked under the divider... that crack was enough for my VT to freak out and squeeze through so my suction cups rest on either side of the divider (not under it)

Best of luck!

 

[Larkspur]

What a BAD fish! Yes...there is the ever most /slight/ gap. I just have to straighten it out though. It's bowed a little. I did have mine doubled up, but I removed one so water could flow better. I'll have to see how it goes and whether or not one will be okay.

 

[Channti]

There's a reason he's named "Alpha Houdini". He's an escape artist. .
Mine is bowed slightly, but I'm not touching it because it's wedged in there pretty tight.

I'm thinking I might convert my tank to a dual-sponge-filter tank instead of having the power filter to make sure both sides are equally filtered. I've become a bit of a pro at DIY sponge filters.

 

[Larkspur]

I'm still learning. Haha. It just happens to be the guy I recently began dating is big into fish as well. He has a tank with cichlids and his best friend keeps some much larger fish such as oscars. My bf said once I get the tank split up good he's buying me my new betta.

Mad Hatter hasn't gotten through and hasn't attempted it really either. The BN is also still on one side. I think if anyone slips through it will be Hilton the BN. He's far more active than my betta. He was confused by the divider at first, but he's come to accept it now.

Getting the new one today. Petco gets in shipments on Wednesday mornings. Want to see if this shipment brings anything amazing before I choose my fish. I'll be sure to WATCH them closely before I call things good. I don't want a massacre.

 

[Channti]

I don't know if I've mentioned it yet, but I adore Mad Hatter's colours. Is he a HM betta?

 

[silverrabbit]

The divider looks good

If you;re worried about the flow, you can make your own sponge filters from old fish food pots, a small air stone, line, a pump and some sponges - very easy to make, I made 6 for a divided betta tank

 

[Larkspur]

Thanks for the tip silverrabbit!

Channti,

Mad Hatter is a HM. He's just busy swimming around in most photos so his fins are not flared. I actually found him at PETCO. Then on aquabid I saw almost identical ones for double the price and that of course doesn't include the shipping. I feel like I was lucky finding him! They get shipments on wednesdays....guess what today is!!! Haha. So I can't wait to go this evening with my boyfriend and see if they got in anything new. I may come home with a DTHM I saw yesterday. It's body was a pearly white and it had a soft rosy colored fins edged in white. (That's of course if I don't see anything else)

Oh, and I found out why my divider is as sturdy as it is despite the ever so slight gap on the edge you noticed. When I cut mine I didn't cut the piece at the top to fit better down inside the tank. As you know there is a bit of a lip for the lid to sit on. Instead I cut a line on each side where the divider stopped at top and wedged it on. When the lid is on the tank it too is resting wait on the divider. I don't think a fish is going to be strong enough to knock down my divider as long as that lid is in place.

Lid off you see how it is wedged on the lip

Lid on.

 

[Channti]

ah alright, that makes sense then!.
Best of luck finding a Betta! Post pics when you get one!

 

[Larkspur]

Soooo....

I got a betta! Haha. Come to find out there weren't any new bettas in. I however saw the one I had eyed before and felt bad for it...you know how that routine goes. So my bf bought him for me.

Here are some photos:

Calling him Sweeney. (Another character Johnny Depp plays. haha) He's a halfmoon betta like Mad Hatter, but a much smaller tail. I think he is so unique. Believe it or not he is pink and white. 0_o In some directions he looks red. His body is coated in such a thick iridescent shine though when he hits the light just right he turns from lavender to blue to emerald green.

Edit:
And so far the bettas CAN see one another, but they're totally uninterested. They momentarily stared at one another through the divider...kind of stood their ground, but neither flared up. Sweeney seems more interested in being able to move his fins after being stuck in that cup for at least a week. Hatter is curious, but he stills prefers fighting with his reflection rather than picking fights with an actual fish. I guess he was aptly named.