DIY divder substitutes

[nel3]

can anyone please help me out here? i have a marina 5gal tank i plan to divide to house my new DT and the VT. ive seen some plastic mesh dividers on the forums here but have been unable to find them locally. so far the only things i can think of to replace it are acrylic sheets that'll drill holes into. ive considered scrapping a storage container for that but i havent done so due to a leaching posibility. is acrylic the best alternative? i would also like to know if a clear vs clouded divider helps the fish calm daon and get used to each other. any help is appreciated.

[adamxaotmic]

You could always order the plastic canvas.
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/...5-mesh-633230/
This is #5 which is what I'm using. The fish will be able to see each other fairly well, but it allows for good water flow for filtration purposes.

Acrylic would be a good alternative, but will cost you twice as much as the mesh (even after shipping) and you have to have it cut perfect.
A good way to get perfect holes is to get some peg board and lay it on top of the acrylic. Get it squared up and use the peg boards holes as guides.

And yes, the fish will calm down once they are desensitized. However, it is very stressful on the fish the first few days, so make sure you give them lots of love. Putting plants against the divider will help as well. Anything that will block their view would be helpful.

Edit-
You can also get 7 mesh or even 10 mesh which you wont be able though as well as the 5 mesh. You will just have to make sure your getting enough filtration to both sides.
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/...7-hole-310599/
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/...0-mesh-310573/

[nel3]

Originally Posted by adamxaotmic

You could always order the plastic canvas.
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/...5-mesh-633230/
This is #5 which is what I'm using. The fish will be able to see each other fairly well, but it allows for good water flow for filtration purposes.

Acrylic would be a good alternative, but will cost you twice as much as the mesh (even after shipping) and you have to have it cut perfect.
A good way to get perfect holes is to get some peg board and lay it on top of the acrylic. Get it squared up and use the peg boards holes as guides.

And yes, the fish will calm down once they are desensitized. However, it is very stressful on the fish the first few days, so make sure you give them lots of love. Putting plants against the divider will help as well. Anything that will block their view would be helpful.

Edit-
You can also get 7 mesh or even 10 mesh which you wont be able though as well as the 5 mesh. You will just have to make sure your getting enough filtration to both sides.
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/...7-hole-310599/
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/...0-mesh-310573/

thank you very much, that looks much cheaper than acrylic pricewise. though i dont know the price of the acrylic yet. been 3 years atleast since i got the acrylic board for my desktop table. they charged for cutting it also. its probably home depot or reno depot. gotta check the prices but i dont think it'll be as cheap as the plastic mesh nor any cloudy option. i'll have to ask member here how stong the the filter is. the way its positioned is hanging over the tank wall on 1 half.

[nel3]

ive checked locally for divider substitutes and i have asked one of my parents friend's (fish person) regarding a divider. he suggested using black mesh screen (bug screens) for a divider. how would it be used for a good divider? im thinking of putting 2-3 screens together into the binder clips but not sure or flow restriction. the other option in to get the no.5 canvas mesh and 1 layer of black mesh to block the view while allowing good flow. i could also do 1 layer of black mesh on each side of the canvas mesh. which is more effective, 100% black mesh or 1 canvas and 1 black mesh?

[Gizmothefreaky]

I dont know if the bug screens would be a good idea, arent they metal? o.o

[nel3]

Originally Posted by Gizmothefreaky

I dont know if the bug screens would be a good idea, arent they metal? o.o

from what i understand, its okay as long as the metal frame in gone, clean screens and the mesh isnt made of metal.

theres one more store i can check for plastic canvas. otherwise i have no choice but ordering it.