What Do I Need To Know About A Divided Betta Tank?

What do I need to know/ get for a divided Betta tank. Currently have a 29 gallon community tank that I want to turn into a Betta tank.. possibly dividing.

-I have a HOB aqueon 30 filter, would I need to have two separate filters for each side of the tank?
-Dividing the tank would give each Betta 14.5g of swimming room, what would be appropriate tank mates for that many gallons?
-The tank currently holds 10 neon tetras and 6 Panda cories- would they all need to be rehomed?

 

You wouldn't need multiple filters, but some people do have a sponge filter for each side in a smaller tank.
I recommend using an airstone for the side without the filter.
You could do schooling fish on each side, but there are chances of aggression with the bettas. I would go with shrimp or snails, they may be better.

I wouldn't put bettas with neons or pandas due to their temperature indifferences.
You should move them to another tank, or rehome them.

 

Funny I was just going to post this question about the ten gallon that I have. Just curious, will it be all males, females, or mixed. (divided of course)

 

I have many bettas and divided tanks. In my experience its better to keep medium sized small peaceful fish with bettas like the harlequin Rasbora or corydoras. the cories will be fine, the neon tetras, no. With any tetra you are most likely going to end up with a betta eating the tetra or the tetra nipping the betta. I also highly suggest getting sponge filters for each side of the tank. If you are getting the bettas from a store try to get two that are right next to each other.
Hope This Helps!
Edit: keep the temperature at 77 and all should be fine if you have panda cories and bettas in the tank

 

I would recommend keeping the water level at least 2 inches below the height of the divider if not more, as some bettas are amazing jumpers (especially the shorter finned varieties) and if you're keeping males on both sides they will kill each other if they get together.

I wouldn't recommend cories in a divided tank because they need horizontal swimming space and in a 29 divided iirc you would have less than a foot on each side of the divide. You'd likely do well with Ottos though I've never had a problem with them and Bettas (just make sure they are in groups of 4), rasboras (micro, chili, phoenix, neon green), shrimp (though I have had bettas try and commit shrimp genocide before, usually they get bored after 1 or 2 murders).

Also given a 29 is fairly deep for a betta I would HIGHLY recommend a lot of tall, leafy plants; anubus, lutwigia, vals. And until your plants fill in betta hammocks are a good rest stop for them placed in the top 1/3 of the tank.

 

I would recommend keeping the water level at least 2 inches below the height of the divider if not more, as some bettas are amazing jumpers (especially the shorter finned varieties) and if you're keeping males on both sides they will kill each other if they get together.

I wouldn't recommend cories in a divided tank because they need horizontal swimming space and in a 29 divided iirc you would have less than a foot on each side of the divide. You'd likely do well with Ottos though I've never had a problem with them and Bettas (just make sure they are in groups of 4), rasboras (micro, chili, phoenix, neon green), shrimp (though I have had bettas try and commit shrimp genocide before, usually they get bored after 1 or 2 murders).

Also given a 29 is fairly deep for a betta I would HIGHLY recommend a lot of tall, leafy plants; anubus, lutwigia, vals. And until your plants fill in betta hammocks are a good rest stop for them placed in the top 1/3 of the tank.

Yes. I forgot to mention to keep the water level low. I do agree with the betta hammock and plants

 

I personally wouldn't keep panda coreys at 77 long term. That is the top end of their temp range for tank-raised and would probably shorten their lives considerably.

I have 9 pandas in a 29 gallon and they use the entire surface at the bottom. I agree with Small Tanks - halving the space might be problematic. Is it possible to keep one betta in the 29 and add a 10 gallon for a second? Is there any reason you *have* to have 2 bettas? Also, you may want to consider the flow on the HOB for a betta - if you do end up dividing the tank, which I don't recommend, one will be blown around quite a bit without anywhere to escape. I have a gourami in my 29 with the coreys and he hangs out on the sponge filter side - the other filter is a Seachem Tidal 55. If you add more fish you may want to consider upping your filtration - coreys especially are very sensitive to water parameters.

Hope that helps!

 

Funny I was just going to post this question about the ten gallon that I have. Just curious, will it be all males, females, or mixed. (divided of course)

It would be two males

I personally wouldn't keep panda coreys at 77 long term. That is the top end of their temp range for tank-raised and would probably shorten their lives considerably.

I have 9 pandas in a 29 gallon and they use the entire surface at the bottom. I agree with Small Tanks - halving the space might be problematic. Is it possible to keep one betta in the 29 and add a 10 gallon for a second? Is there any reason you *have* to have 2 bettas? Also, you may want to consider the flow on the HOB for a betta - if you do end up dividing the tank, which I don't recommend, one will be blown around quite a bit without anywhere to escape. I have a gourami in my 29 with the coreys and he hangs out on the sponge filter side - the other filter is a Seachem Tidal 55. If you add more fish you may want to consider upping your filtration - coreys especially are very sensitive to water parameters.

Hope that helps!

There is no reason I have to have two Bettas, I just liked the idea of giving one a good home and thought my tank is large enough to split so why not get 2 of them out of those tiny bowls and let them have a nice life in a big planted aquarium but if its going to be to problematic or costly to split I will just get the one and possibly consider getting a smaller 10 gallon to house another I just want to fish to be happy without breaking the bank lol

 

There is no reason I have to have two Bettas, I just liked the idea of giving one a good home and thought my tank is large enough to split so why not get 2 of them out of those tiny bowls and let them have a nice life in a big planted aquarium but if its going to be to problematic or costly to split I will just get the one and possibly consider getting a smaller 10 gallon to house another I just want to fish to be happy without breaking the bank lol

I think you can have two Betta’s just fine. I will message you with detailed instructions

 

Awww you are awesome. I started with 1 betta and now run 9 tanks. You're right that a 29 split is a nicer abode than a cup or being stuffed in one of those 1 gallon things marketed for bettas. I personally wouldn't care for the dimensions of the tank after the split - we are talking ideal conditions here - where are you in Ontario? I'm upgrading a 10G with baby gourami to a 20 long and have a 10 G spare you can have (not that I would ever promote MTS )

 

Awww you are awesome. I started with 1 betta and now run 9 tanks. You're right that a 29 split is a nicer abode than a cup or being stuffed in one of those 1 gallon things marketed for bettas. I personally wouldn't care for the dimensions of the tank after the split - we are talking ideal conditions here - where are you in Ontario? I'm upgrading a 10L with baby gourami to a 20 long and have a 10 G spare you can have (not that I would ever promote MTS )

I'm just outside of Alliston ON, I still have a few things to sort out with my current tank I may look into getting a few smaller tanks eventually