Minnow

I moved Beta (yes, I named my new betta) to his side of the divided 10g today to see how it would go. He and Alpha had a huge flaring match, and when Alpha started ramming into the divider, I took Beta out and moved him back to the bucket for now. I'm going to Petsmart some time this weekend to take a tetra back, so while I'm there I'll get some tall plants to block their view of each other. Will this be enough to keep them from flaring constantly and trying to break through the divider?

Shawnie

usually it happens for the first week and then they either calm down and ignore eachother, or you need a darker colored mesh divider to put on one side so they cant see thruough it...plants work but if they are determined to flare and go at eachother, they will find a way through them...make sure either way that you have plenty of sutbrate built up on the bottom so they dont dig through and the water level is a good 2-3 inches below as they will jump over ....goodluck!

Minnow

Okay, thanks Shawnie It's nice to know things will calm down. I'm still going to wait until I have more plants before putting Beta in again, though.

I don't think there's any way they're getting through. The water level's down, and there's plenty of substrate. The only weak spot I can find is where the sides of the divider meet the tank walls, there is a 2mm gap. I don't think it's a problem, though, since the divider won't budge and the bettas can't fit through.

Shawnie

I cant say it will calm down...I have some that can be in divided and some that cant...but give it a week before assuming they cant goodluck!

COBettaCouple

I usually recommend piles of flat glass marbles against both sides of the divider along with betta-safe caves to keep them in place, lots of plants on both sides and if that still doesn't do the trick, a 2nd divider next to the 1st one.

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Minnow

Yes, it's clear. I decided to put Beta back in yesterday, and all is going well. Beta still swims back and forth at the divider, but Alpha is ignoring him in favor of the massive bubble nest he's building. Today I will be going to get some plants, so that should help things.

Shawnie

you can get these DSC07031.jpg at walmart with dark colors and very cheap to add in front of the clear one also...if the plants dont work, thats what Id try after a week of unsettled boys

Amanda

Mine flare at each other for a bit, then just ignore eachother.

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agabr123

lol, i love their names

great advice above, good luck!

Minnow

Thanks, Alex!

And thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. If things don't settle down in a week, I'll give them a try. Shawnie, is there any place besides walmart where I could find the dark dividers?

Shawnie

any craft store minnow..its mesh for needlepoint

namehater

im using clear acrylic for my dividers, i plan to test it out and see if it works out alright, but if not ive already decided that i will take the dividers out and rough them up with sandpaper, giving it a 'frosted' appearance that they wouldnt be able to see through

Minnow

Okay, cool. I don't think I'll need it, they're starting to settle in.

Edit: I didn't see you'd posted, Namehater. If you use sandpaper on the acrylic, let me know how it goes. It sounds like a good idea!