[raev]

Playing with the idea of dividing a 10gal tank for two bettas, to save me some counter space. I've always used Whisper 10i filters, and though I've never had any actual problems with them, they cause quite a bit of current. I don't want to subject one of my bettas to the current, while the other gets a nice baffle and calm water.

I'm thinking of either putting the filter in the middle of the 10gal and placing a divider on each side of it, so both bettas have a baffle to cut down on the current (does that description make sense?), OR custom-rigging a Y shaped baffle and placing the filter in the V (does that make sense LOL!) OR try two smaller filters - one on each side (If those descriptions are bobo I'll draw diagrams, just let me know). I've seen these little Whisper 3i filters, I think they say they're for 3gal and under but with only one betta per filter and no other tank mates (effectively <5gal water if you consider gravel and decor), is this do-able? Would I need to do slightly bigger WCs to make it work?

How do you guys deal with filters in a divided tank? Am I just OCD for not wanting a lopsided setup with a big filter in one section, and calm water in the other? :P

This post has been edited by raev: 29 July 2010 - 04:56 PM

[Plakats]

I like the Idea of having 2 dividers with the filter in the middle... that way if a fish jumps the divider they arent in together still. Provides plan B that way as well as a baffle for the fish

[raev]

Plakats, on 29 July 2010 - 06:47 PM, said:

I like the Idea of having 2 dividers with the filter in the middle... that way if a fish jumps the divider they arent in together still. Provides plan B that way as well as a baffle for the fish

Did not think about that, but that's a very good point! +1 for the baffles in the middle idea.

I did think of making the middle section like a mini planted scape of it's own, just to see if I could do something cool with it. It would further baffle the filter too, and maybe hide it a bit with something pretty. The more I think about it, the more I want to try it just for the mini skinny planted midsection :)

So +2 for the baffles in the middle idea!

This post has been edited by raev: 29 July 2010 - 07:08 PM

[LouisaMaeBrown]

I use sponge filters in my divided tank with one sponge in each section, but then again I run a lot of tanks so air pump driven filters cut down on some of the electricity I use. I can regulate the current for each section and I tuck the sponge filter behind fake plants or ornaments so I don't have to see them.

However, the idea of putting the filter in a tiny section by itself is a good one. That way you only have to buy 1 filter. Or you could buy an HOB filter and baffle it. That way the tank could be divided in 2 with no bulky filter inside any section. As long as the dividers are cut tight on all sides and FIRMLY held into place the bettas shouldn't get into each other's sections.

Honestly, there are a lot of ways to do this and still give safe, comfortable homes for our bettas. Choose the one that makes you most comfortable. http://www.ultimatebettas.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile1.gif

This post has been edited by LouisaMaeBrown: 29 July 2010 - 08:09 PM

[raev]

LouisaMaeBrown, on 29 July 2010 - 08:08 PM, said:

I use sponge filters in my divided tank with one sponge in each section, but then again I run a lot of tanks so air pump driven filters cut down on some of the electricity I use. I can regulate the current for each section and I tuck the sponge filter behind fake plants or ornaments so I don't have to see them.

However, the idea of putting the filter in a tiny section by itself is a good one. That way you only have to buy 1 filter. Or you could buy an HOB filter and baffle it. That way the tank could be divided in 2 with no bulky filter inside any section. As long as the dividers are cut tight on all sides and FIRMLY held into place the bettas shouldn't get into each other's sections.

Honestly, there are a lot of ways to do this and still give safe, comfortable homes for our bettas. Choose the one that makes you most comfortable. http://www.ultimatebettas.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile1.gif

I thought of just getting an HOB filter, but I'm trying to stop myself from buying another one when I have a couple perfectly good in-tank filters already. I'm reading up on DIY divider materials right now, trying to figure out what would work the best. Thanks for the input!

[LouisaMaeBrown]

Cool. One less expense. :)

[Laura Lee]

Just to totally throw a curve-ball at you, I'm personally fond of the little nano HOB filters (Azoo/Red Sea) and they're usually less than $10 each... you could put one on each side of the divider. :coverlaff: