[IndigoChild311]

So today I found the old fish tank my parents and I had from when I was little. My mom thinks it's like 20-25 gallons. and I'd like to put a divider up (probably going to do a mesh). It's plastic and quite large.

I hope Humphrey and Mojo like it, I also found two heaters and a filter (which I probably won't use).

My questions are: How much of a water change and how often will I have to do with them?

Will my fishies be more active with more room? (they're both currently in about 1 gallons bowls

Is 20-25 gallons too big? If so should I maybe put up 3 dividers and get another betta?

Thank you for the input!

 

[Marlow]

There is no such thing as too big lol. You should, however, use the filter if it's that big, because you will need to do daily water changes without one, and the necessary gallons of water you would need to change is impossible to drag around every day. 20 gallons is more than enough for 3 dividers. You could do with many more, how many more depends on the dimensions. You could also put different types of tropical fish with the bettas instead of dividing it up into more than two, depending on personality. Make sure it really is a 20, 25 gallon though, because what species you can add will depend on it.

As for the filter, if it is too strong (which I assume it is, if it was made for a 20+ gal), you could divide a section just for the filter, with no bettas in it. If you use thick mesh like crochet mesh, this should lesson the flow of it and make it tolerable for your bettas. Double the mesh if needed. If the section is big enough, you could still put fast water species like minnows in that section, but it would have to be quite big.

 

[IndigoChild311]

I need to see how the filter works, I was thinking about separating it 3 ways and putting a female in the middle and put the filter with Mojo since he's pretty chill about everything.

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

If it's a 20 long (30x12x12), you could divide it with a Betta on each end in 4 gallons each (dividers in about 6") and another in the middle with community fish in approximately 12 gallons.

 

[Marlow]

If it's a high powered filter with a really high flow, it shouldn't be in with any bettas, male or female. It will stress them no matter how calm they are normally, since it will be hard for them to swim, or to get to the surface for air :< It's also a danger to long finned bettas especially, since it may catch one of their fins, causing them to get ripped and possibly for the betta to drown if he cannot get himself free.

You don't really need to get a female for the middle section unless you want a female specifically. A male will work, especially since these sections will be quite large. Whatever the gender they will flare at each other for a while, maybe even weeks, but they will get over it eventually.

 

[IndigoChild311]

I have no clue what the filter's like honestly. I still have to set up the tank..

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

+1 Marlow.

Put another male Betta in the middle or make it a community section.

 

[IndigoChild311]

I shall do that! What fish/how many would live in that environment?

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

For 12 gallon community tank suggestions, I'd go to the "Other Fish" section. You'll get a lot of great information. Have fun!

BTW, you can figure number of gallons by multiplying LxWxH and dividing by 231. With a 20 long (30x12x12), coming in six inches with each divider will give each Betta approximately 3.75 gallons (6x12x12) and the middle approximately 11.25 gallons (18x12x12).

 

[IndigoChild311]

My parents said I can't get any more fish! D: I think I'll make two dividers to house the filter and heater (or should the heater be closer to the fish?) so they're comfortable then I'll buy them a moss ball and cut it in half so they each have a bit of it and maybe a silk plant and of course a hammock for each of them.
Mojo tends to stay to the side of his bowl, I wonder if he's sad or maybe just a mopey fish, I can't wait until after vacation to set up the tank and get them in it.

 

[Marlow]

I'd skip on the hammock and get some type of floating plant instead, the price should be about the same and they will like the feel of a real plant better. Though i've also seen bad reviews on 'betta hammocks', so i may be basing it on that a tad, it's up to your judgement x) If you do get real plants for them tough, be sure to wash them off under the tap with hot water first so you avoid anything they may be carrying getting into your tank.

For the heater, I'm not sure it really matters, but i'd keep it in the middle of the tank so the temperature will remain mostly the same on both sides. It shouldn't burn them or anything, and if it does, get a new one- it's defective and dangerous. Sorry to hear you can't get anymore fish, but at least your bettas will be happy ^^

 

[IndigoChild311]

I was thinking about putting it in the middle so they can have equal amount of heat. What silk plants are best? (if you can please put a link to petsmart, that's the closet place)

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

Put the filter on one side of the divider and the heater on the other. I'm sure your divider won't be solid; but if it is, you'll need two filters.

 

[IndigoChild311]

The setup

This is what the tank looks like as of right now. So should I make two dividers so I can keep the filter separate from the fish and I know where to put the heater now.

This is all very new and confusing to me.