Puzzlecat

Hello everyone.
My friend keeps sending me posts about bettas from here, so I though I would save her the time and become a member of the community. That being said, I have a project that I wish to do, and I'm curious how to go about it.

I currently have a gorgeous blue betta in a 1 gallon plastic container. Now I know what everyone is thinking already, but at the time I got him (about 4 months ago) I really had no idea that he wouldn't be happy in such a small home. The pet store clerks always assure you that 1 gallon is more than they need. My betta boy is happy still, greets me all the time and I give him water changes often... but I want to go the extra mile for him. After reading so many pages from quite a few different authors, I just wound up confused as to what would be best. I'm hoping someone here can help.

For my birthday next month, my husband would like to get me a large 20 gallon (glass) tank. I want to divide the tank into three parts and keep three male bettas in it. In addition to my betta torture device (sigh) I have a 5 gallon tropical freshwater fish set up. I've read about the Nitrogen Cycle, and I've heard it can go faster by using things from a properly cycled tank (the 5 gallon has been running for about five months now). I'm just not sure how to make this dream a reality.

So I guess I'm asking is, what do I need for this tank? I had an idea for a bubble wall against the back for looks and for a "toy" (my current betta loves watching the bubbles from the other tank). Also, at the pet store I saw these rolled up tank dividers, but would they do any good? Should I make my own? Both my current "tanks" have no gravel in them since I prefer the look and the ease of cleaning, but is there a benefit to having gravel in a betta tank?

Any and all advice you could give me would be wonderful. I want everything to be as perfect as it can be for my little sweetie, he deserves better than what I have him in.

Oh one last question. I was hoping to get one of the new delta tails the pet store by me has recently started carrying, but they're rather small. I've read that betta males give off hormones to stunt the growth of their tank mates. Will this be a problem? Should I get a growout tank?

Thank you so much for putting up with my rambling.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!

read this thread, cory gave it all to a tee...goodluck and get us some pics sometime...we love them!!!

How-To Guide: Betta Splendens Tank

0morrokh

Here is another article on general Betta care by Rose Welcome and Betta Care Guide - Please Read First!!!

A divided 20 sounds like a great setup, in fact I plan on doing something similar myself. I'll just tell you straight up that people will tell you different things about Bettas in divided tanks. Personally I wouldn't put 2 males next to each other, because constantly seeing another male can be stressful. But some people have done it without the males minding at all...I think the main thing is to make sure there are visual barriers like plants along the divider. What I would do is put a female in the middle since a female is less likely to make the male feel threatened. However some people don't like this idea because it's possible that the female could produce eggs in the presence of a male, and if she can't expel them that could lead to health problems. The only failproof thing is all females, which isn't an option since you already have a male.

So...it's up to you what you want to do. I don't want to scare you away from a divided Betta tank, many of us here have done it without problems, or even (as in my case) found that the Bettas formed a good relationship from seeing each other. The main precautions you need to take are 1) make sure there are sufficient plants/other decor so the Bettas can get out of each other's sight, and 2) make sure there is absolutely no way for them to jump the divider. Yes they will jump if they can, especially in the case of male/female or 2 females next to each other. What I do is keep the water level a few inches low. Others find a way of extending the divider in places where the hood doesn't go all the way down (like under the door thingy in front). Store bought dividers are fine or you can make your own, doesn't matter.

In a divided tank it's best to have a small filter & heater in each section. So instead of getting one 100 watt heater get 2 or 3 smaller ones. Since the sections are relatively small the filter can tend to cause a lot of turbulence, which Bettas don't appreciate. So make sure the filter you get doesn't cause a strong flow, like a sponge filter or a hob with a flow control knob which you'll turn way down. If you don't want to put a filter in each section (say just the outside 2), then put an air stone in the unfiltered section for circulation. Also keep a thermometer in each section.

You can put the new filters in the cycled tank for a few weeks to cycle, or put used filter media from the cycled tank into the new filter. Either method greatly speeds up the cycling process. Do you know how to do a fishless cycle?

angelfish220

if your going for dividers the best thing is to use something that will totally block their veiw, no glass or plastic unless its opaque. Maybe a homemade divider would work best, and cost less too, everyone wins!

learn how to make your own here= Re: Divided Tank Question

Lucy

Hey Puzzlecat welcome to Fish Lore, we're glad you're here.

Congrats on learning and wanting to do better for your betta....btw, what's his name and where's his pic? lol

I'm going to give you yet another link...I know we've given you a lot to read, but this is important too:
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

You can use used filter media from your 5g, if it's cycled (liquid tests show 0 for both ammonia and nitrites with some nitrates showing), to seed your tank. Or if your Fishlorean friend has an established tank, borrow some of theirs.

Good luck to you.

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

Here's a basic setup article I wrote up for our online magazine: http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummaga...tank-setup.htm

You've been doing your best for your little Betta boy and he's a happy guy.

Puzzlecat

Thank you so much everyone. This has given me a lot to plan and think about as the days tick down to my birthday! I'm pleased to say that my roommate let me use her 2 gallon tank for him, so he's all moved in and free. He looks so happy! What a flirt!

Ahh, I was kind of embarrassed to say what his name was... my husband slapped a nickname on him before I even got a chance to name the poor dear and I'm afraid it's stuck...

His name is Sashimi. Otherwise known as Sash, Raspberry Fish and my Beautiful Blue Boy.

Attached Images

SashClose3Star.jpg (191.3 KB, 5 views)

MinxMermaid

AWE, he's very cute

looks like my Royal Blue, so i'm a bit biased!

Lucy

He's a cute boy, I bet he likes having extra room.

COBettaCouple

Sashimi!