We have been reading through the forums and have been wondering exactly how someone goes about dividing a tank to house two betta fish? We would divide nothing less then a 10 gallon. We see a lot of pictures of a mesh divider but is there something that goes between to block the view? Isn't it bad for bettas to flare constantly at each other? What items are used to divide a tank? Is the view blocked for a certain amount of time? We hear a lot of people dividing tanks for bettas and we would love to try it sometime.
I just ordered some plastic canvas/mesh and black plastic divider sheet suction cups on Ebay about 2 days ago. My plan is either paint the mesh black, making sure that the paint is safe for the fish, or i'm going cover the canvas with laminated paper.
I would think if you covered with laminated paper as you would lose the flow between the two sections. Then you'd need two filters and, maybe, two heaters. BUT...I could be wrong. ;-)
To OP: You can buy different colors of craft mesh; including black and dark blue or dark green. Search "Plastic Canvas Mesh Sheets." Here's one place I found:
most bettas after a few days will stop the constant flaring at each other, after a week or so they will pretty much ignore each other most of the time, they still will have the showdowns with flaring and such but as long as they are not constantly doing it they will be fine
Just place a fair number of your plants and decor at the divider to help cut down on the sight of the other side. I have a divided 6.6 bookshelf tank, and my two boys (A VT and a CT) pretty much ignore each other. I do see them flare, but it's usually either at me or at their own reflections when the light is on but the room is dark.
I did the DIY tension type using black craft mesh and the clip on poster frames cut to size. It was a easy fun little project.
Just place a fair number of your plants and decor at the divider to help cut down on the sight of the other side. I have a divided 6.6 bookshelf tank, and my two boys (A VT and a CT) pretty much ignore each other. I do see them flare, but it's usually either at me or at their own reflections when the light is on but the room is dark.
I did the DIY tension type using black craft mesh and the clip on poster frames cut to size. It was a easy fun little project.
iirc this is even the guide I followed! I used poster snap on frames instead of the binders - they seem less brittle/more sturdy. This plus the suction cups to help keep it in place would make for a pretty sturdy barrier.
I used the same link to make my divider, I just clipped two craft mesh pieces that I cut out, of the same size, and they can still somewhat see each other, but not very if that helps too.
We divided mine with Plexi-Glass and then rubbed it down with sandpaper and steel wool. They could barely see each other, but the algae stained the divider green over time and no they can barely see silhouettes.
Four of my males are kept in divided tanks. After about two weeks, they ignore each other and are clearly not stressed by each others presence. I do occasionally catch them communicating with each other (usually by flaring), and its really neat too watch.
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