To Divide, Or Not To Divide.

[Volleyball_Rox]

So, this thought kind of came into mind. In my current house, I'm only gonne be able to keep one 5gallon tank, on this bookshelf that only supports 55lbs (so 10gallon is out immediately). I COULD move things around, but moving one thing around changes into moving this and that around, changing into also moving THAT and THAT and, it's not an attractive thought. Plus, it's not even my house, it's my "parents".

If you've seen my pics, I have a divided 5gallon. I love the thought of having a betta in a 5gallon on his own. But I'd also one more than one betta. They're just so interesting, especially with just more than on personality. Unless during the summer my parents decide to move things around (beyond unlikely), then I'll be stuck with this decision. Plus, my parents hate the thought of spending a bunch of money on a little fishie.

What do you guys think?
Should one have their own 5 gallon, or should I keep it divided?

I'd personally want them each to have their own five gallon.
Just because. More room. Not the pressure of flaring a lot.
You know mine, of course. 5 gallon for one betta and (new) one platy.
Where do you keep your tank? I mean, what room?
I found a spot for my tank, even tho I have limited room. Maybe try eplaining to your parents that your betta's are unhealthy right now, and want them to live. Not that its unhealthy, but it would be healthier for a 5 gal each, LoL.
Hope I helped.

Well I know for SURE not to put anything directly on speakers. Especially if they're on and working.

The reason for not putting the tank by or one electronics is that it can create tempurature differences, if you turn it on and leave it on, or turn it off and leave it off.
That's what it said in my betta book, anyway.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Guppygoddess, this is pretty much for future reference. It came into thought, and I just couldn't stop thinking about it. We all know sooner or later, they pass off ( ) so what would I do after that? Get another, or not.
If I do end up leaving a betta on his own in a 5gallon, I may or may not get a mystery snail. But that'll be for later thoughts.

If you, I'd just enjoy my fish and not worry about it for now!

 

[woodstock]

I keep it in the living room. There is a TV, but they're in opposite sides/corners. It's quite small too. Living Room, Game Room whatever you want to call it. It's on an IKEA Shelf. Lots of traffic here, but it's like..stationed traffic? Lol. My and my brother stay here hours at a time. Walk up and/or down. Then stay. Lol, but there's always activity.

And yeah, see, exactly why I want them in a 5 gallon! (Congratulations! And ooh, a platy! Make sure it's not pregnant. My friend came home with a pregnant one. Ugly picture) I already talked to my parents about another tank. They *WILL NOT* get another tank for "just one little fish." I don't feel prepared to take on like a 30gallon tank, or whatever. My parents prefer two bettas, just because it makes them more worth the money.

Idk, I'm feeling towards one per 5 gallon.
But I "felt" that way before, and then, I woke up ecstatic to waking up to TWO bettas.

 

[lilacamy931]

This is a difficult one hon and you will get a lot of opinions. Is the 5g heated and filtered? Or is it just literally divided? You say you have had them a year - how have they been with a companion on the otherside and have there been any reoccurring illnesses etc? How often are you cleaning the tank out?

Ideally they should have 3g each, optimum would be 5g each but unless can find a absolutely good home, I personally would keep them both (if everything is stable to the above questions - I will probably be shot for saying this). I have only ever kept mine in 5g whether it be divided or singles. But in your situation if they are heated and filtered and seem very settled and not constantly flaring then dont change anything? Their living space is a little on the cramped style and they could do with more but if you do rehome then please please ensure that it is with someone who will care for the 2nd betta. I have been lucky when passing on bettas or rehoming to betta keepers, I have had some though wanting for community tanks or in with another male.

Your absolute best bet would be to invest in a 10g (you can actually get odd sized tanks inbetween 5-10g) and you can also get tall or odd shaped versions, look for something that allows at least 3-4g per fish but perhaps suits your lack of space in the house and doesnt jeopardise anything, still keep divided etc.

As to above with illness, it is a risk you take.

And lastly, it is a matter of conscience for you the OP. One would probably really appreciate the space to himself as I found upgrading some of my bettas from 3g to 5 or 10g they really did appreciate the space and epxlored all the corners. Sorry to babble but it really does depend on circumstance etc (personally i would upgrade tank but then I have the space etc)

p.s. the tank doesnt have to be expensive, search ebay, carboots, etc, freeads. Also think of a plastic tank which are cheap as chips and gives that adequate space. If need a way around the parents explain this will be cheaper in the long run if one gets ill and have to buy meds and perhaps also replace both fish if goes wrong in small tank.

Also epxlain to them in a larger tank the water stats remain more stable?

 

[woodstock]

Lilacamy931 -
It's heated, filtered, and cycled. They've never had diseases (yet) in their time together. It's a SINGLE 5 gallon actually divided (I have pics in my other thread). I clean the tanks at least once a week, but catch myself doing it twice a week anyways. Each time is about 40%, with a gravel vac. I put in very limited aquarium salt, and Prime conditioner. They have begun to notice each out of the blue, so that was never a concern until now. It's EXTREMELY recent (this is only the second day) so I'd have to see how long they'll tolerate each other until I have to do another rescape and completely block off the divider.

If anyone misread, apologies, but I'm not selling any of my betta! I never would! This is just for future thought. I'm going to take care of them until they die ~ And I wouldn't know where to rehome them. Nobody around me is a fish freak, sadly.

I definitely prefer longer than taller, for the betta, and for my eyes personally. I got the 5gallon Walmart starter kit, and my dad loved the price, which is why he easily bought it for me. He said if we easily had space (meaning NO redecorating aroundt he house) he would buy another for me. It's up to my mom if she wants to change anything. But she doesn't, the end (sigh...)

Well I wanted to move my brother's desk (it's unused, aside from his pile of clothes on it) out to another room, somewhere. I totally got shot down for that.

Thanks for the options guys I'm kind of leaning towards 5 gallons.

 

[Volleyball_Rox]

Lilacamy931 -
It's heated, filtered, and cycled. They've never had diseases (yet) in their time together. It's a SINGLE 5 gallon actually divided (I have pics in my other thread). I clean the tanks at least once a week, but catch myself doing it twice a week anyways. Each time is about 40%, with a gravel vac. I put in very limited aquarium salt, and Prime conditioner. They have begun to notice each out of the blue, so that was never a concern until now. It's EXTREMELY recent (this is only the second day) so I'd have to see how long they'll tolerate each other until I have to do another rescape and completely block off the divider.

If anyone misread, apologies, but I'm not selling any of my betta! I never would! This is just for future thought. I'm going to take care of them until they die ~ And I wouldn't know where to rehome them. Nobody around me is a fish freak, sadly.

I definitely prefer longer than taller, for the betta, and for my eyes personally. I got the 5gallon Walmart starter kit, and my dad loved the price, which is why he easily bought it for me. He said if we easily had space (meaning NO redecorating aroundt he house) he would buy another for me. It's up to my mom if she wants to change anything. But she doesn't, the end (sigh...)

Well I wanted to move my brother's desk (it's unused, aside from his pile of clothes on it) out to another room, somewhere. I totally got shot down for that.

Thanks for the options guys I'm kind of leaning towards 5 gallons.

Okay ya know your idea for adding a 1/2 gallon into a 5 gal?
Well I might just do that, but with a quart sized instead of a 1/2 gallon!

 

[woodstock]

Tell me how that goes!!

Actually, that's an idea that gets me excited for a 5gallon. I want to do crazy tank ideas, which I can't do with a divided in the way!

 

[Volleyball_Rox]

Tell me how that goes!!

Actually, that's an idea that gets me excited for a 5gallon. I want to do crazy tank ideas, which I can't do with a divided in the way!

Omg, it's awesome!
I have blue gravel right now, and i used to have colored gravel, rainbow, and I got the quart jar and put old gravel and old plant into it, and set it in the middle of the five gallon. And it looks wonderful!!! On both sides is a neon hidey hole/cave for each fish. I think it is very awesome, and I'm glad you thought of it, and I hope you aren't mad that I kinda stole your idea.

 

[woodstock]

Oh, I'm furious

Lol, just kidding! I'm glad it worked out though, now I'm kind of excited to try it out... Hmmmmm. Glad it worked out for you Did you put anything in the quart bowl? Or did you just kind of plop it in there?

EDIT: I actually read your post this time, LOL. Disregard the last question. Can't wait for pics, if possible 8)


Ahh, but my fish Blue is getting totally stressed. I need to rescape again and put more plants against the divider. His tail is half gone! Hopefully I can get him unstressed before something happens to him. He's already moved onto his under-tail D:

 

[Volleyball_Rox]

Oh, I'm furious

Lol, just kidding! I'm glad it worked out though, now I'm kind of excited to try it out... Hmmmmm. Glad it worked out for you Did you put anything in the quart bowl? Or did you just kind of plop it in there?

EDIT: I actually read your post this time, LOL. Disregard the last question. Can't wait for pics, if possible 8)


Ahh, but my fish Blue is getting totally stressed. I need to rescape again and put more plants against the divider. His tail is half gone! Hopefully I can get him unstressed before something happens to him. He's already moved onto his under-tail D:

LoL
See i took a pic but it said the attachment was too large.
Hmmm. Is he stressed because he can see the other fish?
You named your fish colors, lol?
And if he is stress, a lot, right now, I wouldn't rescape. Because it rreeeeeaaaaallllllyyyyy stresses Cupid (my betta) out.
And he goes into shock
And the cupping or netting is scary for him, LoL.
But maybe it will help him in the long run.
When cupid went into shock it was very scary. He was twitching, then lethargic and barely breathing. Dead, almost. Lost color. And some of tail.
You should try adding Stress Coat. I did, and it calmed him and helped his tail. With the aloe vera, and all.

 

[woodstock]

Yeah, I need some stress coat. I turned the lights off, and he went to sleep, lol.

It's definitely 'cause he can see my other betta. And yes I name them colors, don't hate Lol
And rescaping would be the only thing I could do for him. It's because he can see Red, so the only thing I can do is block off the divider the best I can.


Well, I'm beginning to set myself on for 5 gallons. Hopefully everyone approves of this (I wouldn't see why not?).
Hopefully in the future my mom will decide to impulsively move everything around, and I'll find a place for another baby. But until then, I'll be keeping these two and doing the best for them.

 

[Volleyball_Rox]

Yeah, I need some stress coat. I turned the lights off, and he went to sleep, lol.

It's definitely 'cause he can see my other betta. And yes I name them colors, don't hate Lol
And rescaping would be the only thing I could do for him. It's because he can see Red, so the only thing I can do is block off the divider the best I can.


Well, I'm beginning to set myself on for 5 gallons. Hopefully everyone approves of this (I wouldn't see why not?).
Hopefully in the future my mom will decide to impulsively move everything around, and I'll find a place for another baby. But until then, I'll be keeping these two and doing the best for them.

Oh I see LoL. There is this lil boy who is my friends friends lil bro and I said something to my friend and she said you hater! And he told me, "You hate!?! Oh no no no, dont hate, celebrate!" It was adorable
And ooohh I understand. Maybe try to remove one betta, and get a darker divider, like maybe tinted plexiglass? Or tin foil over it? Then Blue will see that Red is gone, let him swim around the empty tank, put the dark divider in, and add Red? So blue wont think that red is there? And add stress coat in the meantime?
I don't know.

 

[woodstock]

I'm gonna try to add another sheet of plastic mesh, since I have plenty. The only problem is "how." I'll probably have to do another 100% water change and take them out (it was hard enough doing it completely EMPTY, I remember). Lol, hope so...

Plexiglass will make me get another filter, which is why I love plastic mesh. Allows for better filtration, and it's hardly $1 each sheet.

 

[Volleyball_Rox]

I'm gonna try to add another sheet of plastic mesh, since I have plenty. The only problem is "how." I'll probably have to do another 100% water change and take them out (it was hard enough doing it completely EMPTY, I remember). Lol, hope so...

Plexiglass will make me get another filter, which is why I love plastic mesh. Allows for better filtration, and it's hardly $1 each sheet.

Ohh I never thought of that. Good plan. I hope blue gets better!
I was so mad/sad today. I was at walmart, getting startright and a hidey hole, and it had a special section for bettas. And it was a divided tank, for 4.99. But it was sooooooo freakin small!? How can anyone, ever believe a living creature could live and flourish in a small enviorment like that!?!?! If you know nothing about fish, even a four year old would be able to tell you that is wayyyy too small.
It just irks me.
A lot.
It makes me want to slap the inventor of that.
If I met him, I would.

I looked it up online, it is 1 and 1/2 liters.
And it comes with a divider.
That is soooo wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It's just trying to con lil kids into begging their parents for it, and the oblivious parents buying it becauss eit is only 5 dollars.
My link

 

[woodstock]

Well, you're officially on your way to becoming a betta freak 8). So glad you realize that! Yeah it just about irks EVERYBODY, and this is an uuuuber common problem with newbies and their betta fish. They think it's "okay", but most obviously, it's not. Ugh. If you want to die a little inside, go to youtube and see how many people have put their bettas in there. It's a sad thing. Ironically, a lot of them also say "...and he died soon after help omg idk what happened" or something absurd like that.

I gotta stop ranting, LOL. I just...stay away from those.

And what's funny, is that the bettas on the picture don't even look their best... Hilarious >.>