Split tank for my Bettas - What Do You Guys Think?

[LagerthaM]

This is a really long post

Hello everyone, I just had to make a large split tank for my Bettas and I would really like you guys opinions about it. For some background, I am a university student and I live in a dorm, meaning I have to follow rules or I get in trouble with my university. Anyways, last year I started getting into the hobby after I got one of my first Bettas and it quickly developed into me having five Bettas all in either spilt or seperated tanks. This university recently changed a lot of the rules about pets on campus and one of those rules was you can only have ten gallons and one tank, I found out through my RA (apparently some guy brought a flowerhorn in a 100 gallon aquarium, which eventually broke and spilt water everywhere) that I had too many tanks (I had two split ten gallons and a single five gallon) and I had to downsize within two weeks. So I split one of my TEN Gallons three ways creating space for four Bettas to each have 2.5 gallons, which is humane right? My fifth Betta is in his own tank that I have hid in my closet for now because I am in university out of state and I can't take him home right now. So here is my question- is this situation okay for my boys? Is there anything I can do to the tank to make it better for them? The tank has a filter and a heater and I am planning to switch to live plants at some point since the LEDS that came with the tank are great. I am also cycling with their sponge filters because I heard that you can start a cycle with that? Sorry for the long post, I just really want to make sure that this is an okay situation.

 

[Feohw]

A 5 gallon tank divided to have 4 sections wouldn't mean each has 2.5 gallons? 5 divided by 4 is 1.25. Even less as those dividers are quite thick and the tank isn't full. I wouldn't say that is a great tank for them at all. They have barely any space to swim. I would rehome them if possible. In a 5 gallon I would only do a single betta personally. Maybe two if I absolutely had to.

 

[KassandraXo]

Personally, I don't think there is enough space for them at all. They need AT LEAST 2.5-3 Gal per fish. You guys don't have that plus, there is not much of a foot print for them to swim around. So yes they have space vertically but its better for them to have more space horizontally.

Also, depending on how they are, it could really stress then out to be able to see each other all the time and they could possibly hurt themselves by trying to attack each other (aka hitting the divider)

If you are dead set on keeping all 5 then I would get a 10 Gal and split it 3 ways and then split your 5 Gal 2 ways. If you can only keep your 5 and nothing more then you should really rehome 3 of them and keep just 1 in the 5 and 1 in the other tank you have for him.

 

[LagerthaM]

A 5 gallon tank divided to have 4 sections wouldn't mean each has 2.5 gallons? 5 divided by 4 is 1.25. Even less as those dividers are quite thick and the tank isn't full. I wouldn't say that is a great tank for them at all. They have barely any space to swim. I would rehome them if possible. In a 5 gallon I would only do a single betta personally. Maybe two if I absolutely had to.

I am sorry, I mistyped its a ten gallon that's divided 3 ways.

Just to clarify, the tank is a ten (I accidently put 5 in my origubak post) gallon that is split 3 ways giving each fish 2.5 gallons. The dividers are thick, I made them with 4 pieces of plastic canvas and they can't see through it.

 

[treadingwater]

For the short term I think this would work. I mean, its bigger than the cups they came in but its not ideal long term. Just until you can take them home on break and get them rehomed in other tanks proper. You're gonna have some grumpy gills for a while and I would double your water changes. If you could split your 10 gallon instead that would be better.

 

[LagerthaM]

Personally, I don't think there is enough space for them at all. They need AT LEAST 2.5-3 Gal per fish. You guys don't have that plus, there is not much of a foot print for them to swim around. So yes they have space vertically but its better for them to have more space horizontally.

Also, depending on how they are, it could really stress then out to be able to see each other all the time and they could possibly hurt themselves by trying to attack each other (aka hitting the divider)

If you are dead set on keeping all 5 then I would get a 10 Gal and split it 3 ways and then split your 5 Gal 2 ways. If you can only keep your 5 and nothing more then you should really rehome 3 of them and keep just 1 in the 5 and 1 in the other tank you have for him.

I am sorry I mistyped, I have a ten gallon split, not a five gallon. I don't really know what do about the foot print right now, they have a decent amount but I agree that they should have more. Maybe I will switch to a ten gallon that's longer.

For the short term I think this would work. I mean, its bigger than the cups they came in but its not ideal long term. Just until you can take them home on break and get them rehomed in other tanks proper. You're gonna have some grumpy gills for a while and I would double your water changes. If you could split your 10 gallon instead that would be better.

It's a ten gallon that's divided. I mistyped.

 

[treadingwater]

Just to clarify, the tank is a ten (I accidently put 5 in my origubak post) gallon that is split 3 ways giving each fish 2.5 gallons. The dividers are thick, I made them with 4 pieces of plastic canvas and they can't see through it.

"So I split one of my five gallons three ways creating space for four Bettas to each have 2.5 gallons, which is humane right? My fifth Betta is in his own tank that I have hid in my closet for now because I am in university out of state and I can't take him home right now."

This is what we are going on. Typo? If that's the case then its good.

 

[Feohw]

Even as a 10 gallon that's very little space for them. It would be 2.5g each if the dividers weren't that thick and if the decor didn't take up so much room. I wouldn't keep them like that for too long.