Tank Question

[Kat03]

I have been thinking of getting a tank and then putting a divider in the middle for 2 bettas. Do you think that a 10 gallon would be fine? I dont have much space for a tank but I will do whatever needs to be done. I figured it would be easier to get a divider instead of getting 2 seperate tanks. I have a one gallon that my betta is in now but I need something bigger. Or do you think its better to get 2 seperate tanks? My bday is coming up next week and I told my boyfriend I want a tank for my bday ..but I need to tell him how big.

Thanks!

edit: or if there is a website anyone knows of off the top of their head they can just tell me that. i know with these message boards the same ?ions get asked over and over and it can b a tad annoying. sorry

 

[Glod]

A 10 gallon split in 2 is an ideal size for a couple of bettas. You could even consider splitting it in 3, but then you start to run into filtration problems and water quality issues unless you filter each compartment.

 

[betta-fool]

A 10g divided is perfect for 2 bettas. I would go for a 24x12x10(LxWxD)inches that is 10g so just perfect...
Good Luck.

 

[girl4God81]

I think it's a great idea! Be a little cautious that if you put a female next to a male she can sometimes easily fill up with eggs just at the sight of another male! If she fills up and they don't mate (sometimes very hard to do, unless they are both ready), and if she doesn't release the eggs with his help, or on her own, she can die. I am having that problem with one of my girls. She's full of eggs and has been for about a month and a half or more, and still nothing. I've tried breeding her with 2 of my boys and neither are interested in her. I just hope she releases them before they poison her. Anyway!!! Haha, I think it's a great idea!

 

[zoekin8yg]

its rare that the eggs will harm them, mine are all eggy putting them near a male doesnt make them release the eggs and they are ok, well the problems they have had arent egg related

 

[RandomWiktor]

I have several divided 10g tanks with a male and a female or a male and a male. Some males will stress themselves out a bit flaring, but if you go with boys who have mellow temperaments, you should be in the clear.
One thing though. If you go with a store bought divider, you might want to use plastic canvas to make it a little taller. Bettas can and do jump store-bought dividers unless they are flush to the lid of the tank. I learned my lesson when several bettas "hopped the fence" all on the same day! Must have been something in the air, eh? Thank goodness no one was badly hurt.

 

[Kat03]

thanks everyone for helping me out. Now I need to look into the different prices and what not. I need to find a website that lists everything I need for the tank and for a betta. I am sure I will find a website tomorrow, or there might be a link on here. Im lazy and tired right now Would it be easier to manage/clean a 10 gallon that is divided or getting 2 separate tanks??

 

[RandomWiktor]

For just a quick run-down, you'll want your betta tank to ideally have several silk or live plants, at least one hide (cave), a heater, thermometer, and if desired, a mild, adjustable filter (I would suggest a filter for a larger tank). Dehchlorinator is of course a must, and it would be preferable to have blackwater extract or indian almond leaf extract as well. Since most pet store bettas come with some mild fin rot, you may also want to buy aquarium salt for at least their first week with you.
If you go for a divided tank, it will probably take up less space, but may be harder to filter and clean, and may also pose problems if one fish is ill. However, divided tanks can be a nice source of behavioral enrichment for the bettas, so if you can pull it off, go for it.
In terms of filtration, I honestly suggest two small filters intended for up to 5g instead of one powerful 10g filter. If you go with one stronger filter, one side of the tank probably won't be adequately filtered, and the other side will have a stressed betta getting blasted around by the current.

Here are some pics of my divided 10g betta set-ups, just to give you some ideas so far as decor and set-up goes. However, mine are not heated since my room keeps tanks between 78-80 depending on the time of the year, and they aren't filtered because I do 100% WC's (which I do not suggest if you only have a couple of bettas and can afford filtration) :

 

[Kat03]

thanks RandomWiktor for all that great info! i have heard that you dont need a filter and then i have heard that you do. would you need a filter for a 5 gallon tank??

your tank is very nice! im excited to get my tank and decorate it

Also, what if my 2 male betta keep flaring at eachother?? is there some sort of like..darker screen divider I could use so its harder for them to see eachother? or should i put one in a separate tank?

 

[girl4God81]

its rare that the eggs will harm them, mine are all eggy putting them near a male doesnt make them release the eggs and they are ok, well the problems they have had arent egg related

Maybe I wasn't clear. I didn't say putting them side by side will make them release the eggs, but it can definitely make them fill up with eggs. It has happened to mine on several occasions (learned the hard way) and happens in pet stores all the time (just even having their little cups side by side). If the eggs are in there long enough it can be toxic to the female, it's just that the female usually releases them before that point, with or without the male. In my case, my little girl is stubborn, and she has been full of eggs for almost 2 months and that's when it can become toxic. The problems I have with her ARE egg related in the sense that she won't release her eggs, it's that simple.

Don't worry, Kat, it doesn't always happen this way I'm just letting you know what happened to me.

 

[Kat03]

you can put female bettas in with other fish right? well im sure only certain fish.

 

[Dan-25]

Hi There i have just divided one of my tanks and it was really easy -

first of all i bought my tank and cleaned it out -

then i bought my sealant ( make sure it is safe to use in aquariums - This tube cost about £5 )

next i measured the height of the tank ( for the slats ) then i measured the width for the divider and then made a plastic lid to fit so bettas cant jump over -

then i siliconed the slats in place and put my divider down the middle so make sure it was straight leave for over 24 hours and hey presto. -

i have drilled holes in the divider so water can pass through easily - i have made a clear plastic divider and a black divider so it gives the bettas a rest from flaring -

i would by a thermomitor for both sides of the tank that way you can monitor the temp in both sides - because one fish could be cold and one could get baked .

oh yeah i almost forgot -

females are fine with other females in most cases just be careful and watch them and keep checking every so often to make sure one doesnt get bullied plus they are fine with most other community fish .

Hope all this lot helps and hasnt confused you more