Shawnie

Heres how I divide my betta tanks....

I purchase mesh/plastic dividers that people use for needlepoint ..you can get them at most craft stores and walmart and mine came in a pack of 10 different colors for approx $6-7 ..also purchase plastic binder holders for notebooks (thats the blue strip) and you can get them just about anywhere also..i got mine at staples for approx 5 in a package for $4-5

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you cut the mesh to the size of the tank...allowing minimal space for the plastic binders to go on all 4 sides....when putting them into the tank, it should be done with bare bottom with no subtrate underneath it because these bettas will dig under if they can..once you have them in tightly, no room on sides or bottom, you can put in your subtrate of choice and build it up a little bit on the bottom of the divider...this is very important that you dont cut it too small where they can slide through the sides, or too long so the divider bends at all..you want it totally straight and tight.....

when filling the tank, leave about 2-3 inches below the divider at the top because they will jump over the divider as well.....

heres a few of my tanks with them in there


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remember when dividing any bettas, that after 2 weeks they are still stressed/flaring, they are not going to work in a divided tank without being not able to see one another..thats very important ....but some of the mesh comes with very dark colors and I also double up the mesh for the nawty boys/girls who dont relax

Lucy

Hey Shawnie, thanks for writing this up. (again lol)
I'm gonna save it to my favorites so I can find it faster when members ask about how to divide a tank.

Tony G.

Thanks!! I understand it now haha thanks

thecolumbianshark

Nice betta tank!

Leigh

We are just about ready to add our betta's to our divided tank...ala Shawnie! We have a few things to tweak and hopefully in the next couple days my boys will be in there!

Shawnie...in the full tank pic, what is the blue tube thing on the bottom in that runs through the 2 right sections??

Shawnie

your request is my demand and your welcome

that long blue thing is a bubble wand that goes in both compartments...but I have extra subtrate and marbles built well around the bottom as it leaves a space for the wand to go thru both sides....

Leigh

Thanks! I was curious. We have ours divided into 3 sections with 2 bubblers on the ends and an air stone in the middle. I'm glad I got 2 big pieces of mesh, we cut the first too small, $1.29 a sheet, no biggie! I'm fitting them back in now to make sure they are very tight!

When I get it all done I will post pics. It's not quite as colorful as yours, lol! But you did inspire me to pick up some sparkly stuff for them.

Shawnie

the notebook binders are very important too..did you get some of those? im glad you are learning from trial and error as these kids are tricky and will find a ton of spaces that you dont always see...I learned that the hard way cant wait to see pics!!!!!!!

Leigh

I did find the binders, at Staples, they had a pack of 6 for $2.50 so we got 2 packs. WalMart had the mesh, wish I'd waited, it was a 6 pack for $.99! sigh...I know where to get it next time.

I've built up the gravel quite a bit so if they are going to dig, they are going to have to do some serious digging!! I've got about 2-3 inches in there and then some nice pebbles on top of that. WM had little bags of jewels/gems for $1.50 a bag and I got 3 different color combo's to go with the coloring of each betta. Just have to work on plants.

thanks for ALL your help!

Shawnie

your welcome..pics soon please!!!!!!

potter

Nice pictures Shawnie I like how you use different colours of plastic canvases.

angelfish220

I find the color canvas works better than the white/clear. they can't see though it as easily so there is less stress.

Shawnie

I use colored and white...some of my kids like to see eachother and it stimulates them but to each their own ...its nice to have choices in the 10 pack!

ABCDemily

This is a brilliant idea. Unfortunately my new tank is a tall, so only one betta (If I don't use my fry tank for a betta) This is a brilliant idea as I said. It shall be duly utilised as and when I get that 20 gal long I've been yearning after...

Shawnie

bettas like more longer tanks than taller ..they need that surface and dont always have the strength to get to the top of the taller tanks...so the 20 gal long will be perfect! and if you decided to divide a taller tank, you just dont fill it all the way to the top

ABCDemily

I'm glad I'm waiting until I can get a nice long, I have no room (my desk is about to be taken by the tall, my dressing tables taken by the fry tank, and all the extra space is taken by a deck chair and guitars!)

I think I'll have to wait a long, long time before a multiple betta divided tank.
It's in the pipeline, along with billions of other ideas.

Fishstick

Thank you so much for posting this! I am dividing a ten gallon for my boys and I had no idea how exactly to do it! This was perfect and so simple!

mcub

Exactly what i was lookin' for. thanks. just curious how much did the 20gal long run you. i been lookin' for one but not sure whats a good price range. what kind of lid do you have on that. and do you just cut the mesh exactly the width so it fits snuggly? and could i stick corries or otos in there with a betta

college student that loves bettas= i wanna maximize the amount of bettas with the least amount of money. thanks for sharing!