20 Gallon Tank Betta Grow Out Tank Build

Hello all! So I am considering ideas for when I breed our bettas. I know between 2-3 months at least the males will need to be separated. I've talked to a lot of betta breeders that use 1 gal jars and daily water changes. I am trying to look into options that can avoid the daily water changes and potentially allowing me to use a filter and heater as I find these extremely important.

So here's my idea:

20g long tank, divide 8 ways giving roughly 2.5g sections. I am hoping to have multiple very small openings for water flow between the sections and doing at least 4 small sponge filters in various spaces (considering 1 in each but I am thinking 4 in a 20 gallon long will be plenty).

I am thinking of doing it with solid acrylic so they aren't flaring at eachother all the time, I know some flaring is good. I am thinking I will permanently seal the dividers.

I am considering doing 2 of these (possibly more in the future) so I have space for the males to grow out before I sell them or take them to the LFS.

What are your thoughts?

 

The only problem I see is the length of each section. Dividing a 20 long into 8 sections would leave each betta with a section that was less than 4 inches in length. They would still have a decent amount of depth though. The other issue is solid acrylic. You would need to filter and heat each individual section of the tank. I use mesh needlepoint boards and binder spines to divide betta tanks. I let algae grow on them and it blocks the views between each bettas, but gives me enough flow between dividers that 2 filters and a small heater on each end of the tank is sufficient. Personally I wouldn’t divide the tank more than 5 or 6 times, but if it’s a temporary grow out tank, you could get away with 8, just something to consider when thinking about fitting in filters, heaters, decor, etc.

 

The only problem I see is the length of each section. Dividing a 20 long into 8 sections would leave each betta with a section that was less than 4 inches in length. They would still have a decent amount of depth though. The other issue is solid acrylic. You would need to filter and heat each individual section of the tank. I use mesh needlepoint boards and binder spines to divide betta tanks. I let algae grow on them and it blocks the views between each bettas, but gives me enough flow between dividers that 2 filters and a small heater on each end of the tank is sufficient. Personally I wouldn’t divide the tank more than 5 or 6 times, but if it’s a temporary grow out tank, you could get away with 8, just something to consider when thinking about fitting in filters, heaters, decor, etc.

Yes this would just be a grow out only when they need separated. A lot of breeders only use little 1 gallon jars without filters so I am hoping to do a little more than that

 

I’ve heard of people doing the same thing with big storage totes and making a bunch of little apartments for them and having a heater on each end and a few sponge filters scattered through it. It’s not as pretty as a tank but you’d probably have more room per section or room for more sections and you’d get more space for the same or a cheaper price

 

I’d want to use a tank just so I can see easy and enjoy them

I may have to look into it cost wise tho!!

 

The only problem I see is the length of each section. Dividing a 20 long into 8 sections would leave each betta with a section that was less than 4 inches in length. They would still have a decent amount of depth though. The other issue is solid acrylic. You would need to filter and heat each individual section of the tank. I use mesh needlepoint boards and binder spines to divide betta tanks. I let algae grow on them and it blocks the views between each bettas, but gives me enough flow between dividers that 2 filters and a small heater on each end of the tank is sufficient. Personally I wouldn’t divide the tank more than 5 or 6 times, but if it’s a temporary grow out tank, you could get away with 8, just something to consider when thinking about fitting in filters, heaters, decor, etc.

Also I just counted it up and it would be each betta would have 8 sections that would be 6”x7.5” so basically I’d have two rows of 4 on each side of the tank.

 

Also I just counted it up and it would be each betta would have 8 sections that would be 6”x7.5” so basically I’d have two rows of 4 on each side of the tank.

Oh okay, are you going to divide both horizontally and vertically? That’s actually a good idea that I didn’t consider. That would work quite well I think.

 

I like your ideas. Never bred bettas so can't give any insight on that. But what about using a 40 breeder with a much larger footprint? Just a thought.

 

Oh okay, are you going to divide both horizontally and vertically? That’s actually a good idea that I didn’t consider. That would work quite well I think.

Yes! Likely I'll use black dividers so I won't have an issue of needing a background. Then I plan to have small holes drilled in and I plan to have 2 sponge filters on each side (4 total) then 2 or more heaters depending on how well the heat flows through the tanks. We are planning to turn our garage into a fish room so it'll go in the middle of the room, possibly more than one.

I like your ideas. Never bred bettas so can't give any insight on that. But what about using a 40 breeder with a much larger footprint? Just a thought.

A 40 gallon breeder only gives an extra 6" but almost doubles the height of the tank. Bettas generally do better in shorter tanks so I'm not sure there would be a huge cost benefit for only 6" extra on the footprint for a tank that's double the cost. It would add about 1.5" per "cell", ultimately it would give them about 5 gallon which is great but a lot of the would be vertical space which just isn't as beneficial for these guys.

 

Yes! Likely I'll use black dividers so I won't have an issue of needing a background. Then I plan to have small holes drilled in and I plan to have 2 sponge filters on each side (4 total) then 2 or more heaters depending on how well the heat flows through the tanks. We are planning to turn our garage into a fish room so it'll go in the middle of the room, possibly more than one.



A 40 gallon breeder only gives an extra 6" but almost doubles the height of the tank. Bettas generally do better in shorter tanks so I'm not sure there would be a huge cost benefit for only 6" extra on the footprint for a tank that's double the cost. It would add about 1.5" per "cell", ultimately it would give them about 5 gallon which is great but a lot of the would be vertical space which just isn't as beneficial for these guys.

Oppps my bad . I was always under the impression the 20l and 40b were the same height for some reason... I'll carry on now best of luck with your betta breeding

 

Oppps my bad . I was always under the impression the 20l and 40b were the same height for some reason... I'll carry on now best of luck with your betta breeding

No problem at all! I actually thought it was too, I was researching the dimensions to see how big it would make the cells and I realized that too. I saw the COOLEST 55 gallon "low boy" tank where it was like the height of a 20 gallon long but it was super wide. Coolest tank I've ever seen!

 

No problem at all! I actually thought it was too, I was researching the dimensions to see how big it would make the cells and I realized that too. I saw the COOLEST 55 gallon "low boy" tank where it was like the height of a 20 gallon long but it was super wide. Coolest tank I've ever seen!

Yes i've seen some cool custom builds doing research and surfing the web and have probably came across the same or similar to what you have seen!