[Psylk87]

Hello! I am new to Betta's right now I have a male Betta in a 5.5 gallon tank.

I was hoping to get soem info on how to go about dividing a tank for a male and female. Eventually I think I would like to try my hand at breeding. (I used to breed Cichlids)

So my questions are.

What do you use to divide the tank?

What is the smallest tank that should be divided?

Do I need seperate filters and heaters for each side?

Can I still keep shrimp/snails with the Bettas?

What are both good and bad experiences you have had with a divided tank?

What are tips you would give to someone that has never kept divided tanks?

Do you have any pictures to help give me ideas of set ups?



Also any other tips or suggestiosn would be greatly appreciated. Plesse feel free to touch on anything I didnt ask. I want to know how I need to do this and what to expect before I buy anything.

 

[lilyth88]

Generally it is not recommended that you put a male and female together. The male can release hormones into the water that could cause the female to become egg-bound, which is sometimes fatal.

 

[kfryman]

Generally it is not recommended that you put a male and female together. The male can release hormones into the water that could cause the female to become egg-bound, which is sometimes fatal.

I learned that, her dying of that is actually rare. She will usually just release the unfertile eggs and eat them...

I would say a 10 gallon should be the least amount, as a 5.5 galling in half will be taller. 10 gallon allows each betta 5 gallons with a good amount of swimming space. You only need one heater, you may need one main filter and a weaker one. I would baffle the stronger one and put that one on the females side as shorter fins= better swimmer. The male may need filtration just to remove some debris. Bubble filter or a internal filter like the Tom mini filter would be good.

I think craft mesh is used by most, with the edges in report cover spines then that siliconed in.

 

[Bombalurina]

Hello! I am new to Betta's right now I have a male Betta in a 5.5 gallon tank.

I was hoping to get soem info on how to go about dividing a tank for a male and female. Eventually I think I would like to try my hand at breeding. (I used to breed Cichlids)
Breeding would be cool! Cichlids are easier, though. Well, not necessarily easier, but less of a pain, since you don't have to jar the fry.

So my questions are.

What do you use to divide the tank?
Craft mesh is most common. You can get drilled perspex too.

What is the smallest tank that should be divided?
5 gallons, but more is always better.

Do I need seperate filters and heaters for each side?
Nope. A nifty idea is to create a compartment in the middle to house both the filter and heater. It also acts as another barrier in case one fish jumps - like an airlock.

Can I still keep shrimp/snails with the Bettas?
Yes, assuming the bettas tolerate them. I wouldn't do it in less than a ten gallon with two bettas, though.

Sorry I can't help with the other questions. Personally, I've never done it, because I'm not a fan of the look of divided tanks. People on here do it very nicely, though.

 

[Thunderloon]

Its more of a concern as to how to make the divider male proof.

Generally you're talking about not only using silicone to seal the sides and bottom of the divider but also you're looking at making it impossible for the male to get up out of his side in any way.

She won't care much... of all my girls I've only had three jumpers out of probably 100 girls total.

Remember that even with a divider it is possible for them to breed. Extremely unlikely but possible... and if he sees eggs down on her side and he has a nest up he will probably batter himself near to death on the divider.

I just put boys in their own tanks on each side of my sorority.