I have never had a betta, but I'm am really considering getting one.

Here's setup plans:

-10 gallon tank (about to give away my guppies) so the tank is already cycled and stuff
-Here's my main question: I ordered a flow though divider mesh type deal that is designed to divide a 10 gallon tank into two five gallon sections.

Could I maybe put one betta in each 5 gallon section. Obviously, they would be able to see each other through the divider thing. Would this be a problem? They wouldn't have any access or way to actually touch each other as the divider goes from the ground to above the water. There would not be room for any jumping with the hood that I have.

Thanks for any help! :D

I'm really excited about the prospect of my first betta!! :lol:

As long as the divider is opaque so they couldn't try to kill each other through the wall that's be spiffy. I'm assuming it's 2 males?

-Stu

I hope to get 2 males. When you say opaque do you mean to where water can't flow through?

thanks!

would be fine.

even if it's an opaque mesh it should be ok.. as long as they can't see each other through it...

You could make your own by taking some hard plastic and use a drill pattern to drill consistent holes in it, do two pieces like that, except offset the second one 50%. Then put them both in the middle with about the same space between them as they are thick to allow water flow. The fish won't be able to see through it, but it will allow for water flow.

sounds fine to me

I had a plastic divider with small holes in it and had two bettas in my 10 gallon. They could see each other through the little holes and ALWAYS floated next to each other through the plastic divider. I'd really decorate each side. It may give them something else to do besides try and fight each other.

By Opaque I mean not-see-through. It should let water flow freely, though, especially if you have a filter (assuming yes) and then the one side would get stagnated faster than the other.

Okay, thanks guys. I canceled the order on the divider because they would be able to see each other. I think that I will put 1 in there and he should be happy.

They don't get lonely do they? I know they shouldn't be with other bettas . . .

It would be perfectly fine for you to use a divider. Ten gallons is a lot of water for one betta, however it would be a happy one. If you want more than one betta together, you can do the divider method, or you can start a betta sorority.

It's optimal to keep four female bettas together. They need to be in a heavily planted Tank with plenty of hidey-holes so that they can get away from eachother when they need to.

However, as long as you heavily decorate both sides around the divider, they won't continually flare at each other, and with five gallons on their own, they'll have plenty of water to keep themselves busy. If you want two bettas and a divider, you can put a female on one side and a male on the other, they'll get along great. I have a 2.5 gallon divided for two bettas, one female and male. It makes your male very happy to have a female around, he'll bubble a lot, and so will she. Sometimes she'll even bar up like she's ready to mate.

Good luck with your new betta though!

Interesting options to think about.

The tank currently has a bio-wheel on it. Will the current be too great or could the flowing fins somehow get stuck?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I have everything figured out before I bring the betta or bettas home.

Thanks! :D

Oh, heater or no heater?

Sorry,

Is a light totally necessary for the betta? I may get another tank without a light- maybe a glass top.

Trying to decide if I should get another tank.
Aww, what's one more tank . . . :lol:

The biowheel should be fine, but they do prefer the slowest possible current. If you get a male and a female, the male should be on the divider side farthest from the wheel to give him a chance to bubble if he wishes. It's also a good idea to have a plant that breaks the surface of the water so he will have a good place to attach his bubble nest to, should he decide to make one. I personally use whisper filters in my cycled tanks since you can change the current speed. As long as it's not pushing the fish around it should be fine. They have a large fin to body ratio, so they need water with relatively no current, or a small one at that.

As for a heater, in a ten gallon tank you'll definitely need one. They prefer their water to be from 75-82 degrees, preferably 78 degrees 24/7. I prefer the Jr. Heater from Walmart, they're only 6.99, and they're easily set up. They also need one of those suction-cuppy thingy thermometers to monitor the temperature. If the water should be overheated, they're fins will get crisped. I prefer not to use heaters in the smaller tanks, they have a tendency to over heat the water.

As for lights, I prefer to have them on the tanks. It keeps the top of the water warm, and it allows your betta to have a beautiful display case for everyone to see. It really makes them look even more lovely.

If you can find some higher quality betta stock, try to buy it. The veil tails are most commonly seen at LFS, but if you could locate a Crowntail or a Halfmoon, or a Delta Tail, it's definitely worth the extra money to get one. I have 12 veiltails, and I love them all super bunchies. :D

The main reason I decided not to divide is that I may want to put a couple cories or some form of bottom dweller. I think it would be more fun to watch one in a large swimming space. Nice and peaceful and not a really heavy bioload.

Do the other varieties you mentioned have other health benefits than just looks? I saw some that I really liked at a lfs in town. I would have to go back and look at what kind they were. There were several different ones with different fin shapes.

I figured I would just start visiting the lfs and watch for a special one. But, I want to make sure it is the healthiest variety.

Thank you!. :D

Health is definitely something to look for. Try to avoid bettas with signs of disease, such as finrot. This is normally shown through either frayed or dry looking fins, or brown and curling tips. Also avoid bettas with pinholes in their fins, this is a sign of fin rot as well.

I always like to pick one with attitude, one that flares at the other males and doesn't just float around in the cup all forlorn. A little spirit is good as well. You'll really get to see their personalities. My new Crowntails are gung-ho about flaring man, they have tude out the max.

Some bettas look fierce and show tude in the store, but then become scaredy bettas. I have one who's scared of everything :P But loves to flare while backing away as fast as he can, lol. He even backs away at other males.

Bettas are very hardy fish, and because they are kept in individual cups, disease doesn't really pass around in the lfs luckily. The different fin types are just variations of Betta splendens. The fancier tail types are just considered to be more "showy" and fun to look at. However, veiltails are always beautiful. There's a mustard gas at my petsmart I've been eyeing for a while...I might go back and get him!

Good luck finding the right one! There's always so many to choose from that somtimes it's really hard to pick just one, which is why I have 14... :D

Thank you for the health tips. I am still in the planning stage, and not ready to go get a betta yet. But, its fun to think about what you want while waiting ...

:D

I totally went off on a limb and changed my mind on the set-up some. I still plan to put a betta into my plans. I still have the guppies, but I have been doing a lot of research and have decided to give the females and fry to the lfs, and start an all male guppy group in that tank. I can't bring myself to part with a particular male guppy that I have had ever since he was little. I decided that I don't want him lonely, so I will do the male group thing.

I have already ordered stuff for the betta, so I think I will just make another simple 10 gallon set-up.

I have ordered a bunch of the silk type plants that are more realistic and designed with betta and heavily finned fish in mind. I have plenty of leftover substrate from my other tanks- I have white gravel that I could use, or I have a lot of the tiny smooth river-rock aquarium substrate. I ordered one of the clover sponge filters that is designed for large tanks. I have a couple extra pumps that I could use one to power the filter. I already have an extra flotaing thermometer on hand.

so, all that's left is the tank, heater, and hood. I know that I can get a simple glass 10 gallon pretty cheap and a heater. So, that leaves the hood- the hood I have on my other 10 gallon was pretty expensive- the fluorescent kind with a splash guard and special front. Ideally I don't want to spend $20-30 on a hood. So, I am trying to think of something inexpensive for a hood.

Any ideas?

I plan to use the sponge filter in my 29 gallon for a while so that I can get some bacteria to give the tank a boost and then wait a while to get it stable.

But, I like to plan while I wait!

thanks for all of your help :D I am glad to find an experienced betta person so that I don't go out and do something stupid for the betta! :D :D