Would This Setup Work?

Ok so right now I have a ten gallon, heated and filtered tank. The substrate is gravel. There are three platies. I’m going to rehome two of the platies and move the third. I was thinking of dividing the tank with a tank divider. One side would be a betta, and the other would be a shrimp tank. Each side should have 5 gallons each. I was also thinking of switching out the gravel on the shrimp side with black sand. By the way these are neocaridina shrimp. So, theoretically, would this plan work? I don’t know if switching out half the gravel will affect the tank much, especially since the tank has been set up for a year. I don’t know if shrimplets would be able to squeeze through the tank divider either though.
Thanks

 

Should be ok. Removing half the gravel shouldn't affect the cycle as almost all of the beneficial bacteria is in the filter.

 

Should be ok. Removing half the gravel shouldn't affect the cycle as almost all of the beneficial bacteria is in the filter.

I hope so. I know the betta would have enough space, not sure about the shrimp because I’ll have to start with at least 10. I don’t know if the little ones can go through the divider though. Will the betta be ok on the side with the filter/intake? I’m guessing he would fare better than the shrimp.

 

I hope so. I know the betta would have enough space, not sure about the shrimp because I’ll have to start with at least 10. I don’t know if the little ones can go through the divider though. Will the betta be ok on the side with the filter/intake? I’m guessing he would fare better than the shrimp.

If you cover up the intake with a little sponge it should be fine for either

 

Shrimp are very tiny and might squeeze past the divider. Make sure there are no gaps, or accept that some of them may get attacked by the betta if they cross over

 

If you cover up the intake with a little sponge it should be fine for either

I did that in another shrimp tank, and it dramatically changed the flow of water. It makes me worried that I won’t have enough filtration.

 

Shrimp are very tiny and might squeeze past the divider. Make sure there are no gaps, or accept that some of them may get attacked by the betta if they cross over

I’ll have to check it again, but I also have extra plastic mesh. Maybe I can attach it somehow so it’s more fine.