tank dividers

[labloverl]

If I were to divide my 10 gallon tank and add another male betta, is there a certain kind of divider that is best? The filter would be on one side and the heater would be on the other. Would that be a problem? Is it harder to vaccum the gravel?

[Enkil]

I have that exact kind of set up right now. Filter is on one side, heater on the other, and thermometer in the middle. I just bought the dividers from PetSmart. So far, everything with it has worked for me. Not sure about vacuuming as water change day is tomorrow... XD

[styggian]

Just vacuum on either side. I've used the Petsmart divider but there's very litter water flow between it, making one side several degrees cooler than the other. I'm using needlepoint mesh now, lots of good water flow. My males are ignoring each other, or just haven't noticed each other yet.

[thekoimaiden]

I prefer the craft mesh dividers to the ones at petsmart because they seem less opaque and have better water flow. The first divider in this tutorial is the one I used: Tank Dividers @ petfish.net

What I do for gravel vacs is alternate sides. One week I'll do the left, and then the other I will do the right side.

[Hallyx]

I've looked everywhere for those report binders...no luck.

Because I don't like uninvited flaring, I use two layers of craft mesh with the heater between them. (I'd put the filter there too, if I used one.) Last I checked, both sides were the same temp.

[thekoimaiden]

I eventually found them at OfficeMax. They were on the isle with the other binders. I use a very similar method with my boys except I do have a small bubble filter in with the heater. It does the best job of keeping a constant temp I've seen yet!

[labloverl]

Well, I have a divider from petsmart, but the water does not flow well through it, and it's easy to see through. Could I use the sides that came with the divider instead of the report binders? Would the craft mesh dividers likely fit?

[MandiceP]

Probably! I think that would work just fine! The needle point mesh I used is nice and thick and my dividers came out awesome. I was able to find a 3 pack of report binders at Staples for 2$ and the needle point mesh was .99 each at Michael's Craft store so for 3 dividers it was only like 5$ so much cheaper than the ones we sell at my LPS (where I work) for 21.99 EACH! lol

[labloverl]

Great! I just hope adding the divider(s) doesn't stress my male out!