Dividing a 2.5 gallon aquarium for 2 bettas?

Question

Would i be able to do this? Buy a 2.5 gallon aquarium kit with a whisper filter, heater and hood equipped etc. Could i cut to fit a plexiglass divider, drill holes through it, silicone it to the acrylic tank, and house 2 bettas ? one on each side? The filteration and heat i dont see a problem since there are going to be fairly large sized holes (1/2 inch big). Enough for easy flow. The only thing that i see a problem with is the bettas are always going to be flaring and going nuts because there in the same tank with a see through glass between them. What should i do for this? Is this healthy at all? Will they get used to it? I already know how to control the internal filter's current so it wont be so strong on one side of the bettas home. So will this work out? Im also going to be getting a 5 gallon tank that will be with live plants heavily planted housing 1 betta and 3-4 cories. I dont want to divide that because i dont want the divider taking away from the beauty of the tank.

I know that theres going to be flow restricted because there is a divider. Im going to put the filter right next to the divider so it can somewhat flow through the holes. I thought of putting a peice of cheese cloth over the divider so they wont be able to see each other but then that would restrict water flow even more.

As for the comment about "What can hert?" Im not sure whether or not bettas get stressed from constantly trying to attack the other betta. I dont want that happening.

Would there be another way i could be able to divide it without them seeing each other?

Something not see through like what? Details like these really help and i can easily point on the best answer if given details such as these.

Snaggles....I appriciate your help. That really answered my question.....>_> If you didnt catch the sarcasm there you might as well just give up. If you read correctly, i said i was going to put a divider between them so there is no conflict. The only problem is that they would be able to see each other so im looking for a fish safe divider that is colored so they wont be able to see each other but i dont know what that divider is. if they cant see each other they dont know theres another betta on the other side. So instead of just typing up some BS just to get 2 points, try actually reading the question and details first before you even post.

by scratching up the glass really good that can prevent them from seeing each other? I would still think they would see color but not a definite shaped betta...would that still be alright?

Answer 1

Hmm, okay, well first of all 2.5 gallons for two bettas is kind of small. Ideally, bettas should have 2.5 gallons each. But, with 1.25 gallons each, I guess they will survive.

I'm equally concerned about the two being able to see each other all the time. No, it's not very healthy, and your bettas will eventually exhaust themselves (they will not sleep when another male betta is in sight).

The only idea I can think of is a Java moss wall. This will be quite aesthetically pleasing and the moss won't grow so thick as to restrict water flow (if you don't let it).

Basically, get a piece of wire mesh (with square holes about 3 mm a side) and measure it to be the height of your tank and a little more than twice the shorter side of your tank. Get hold of a few handfuls of Java moss, then sandwich the moss in the wire mesh (fold one side of the mesh over). That's not a very good description, there's a tutorial with pictures here:

http://www.aquamoss.net/How%20to%20create%20a%20moss%20wall/How%20to%20create%20a%20moss%20wall.htm

The tutorial is for a moss wall background, but it can be easily modified to be a divider, although I do recommend you still use silicone instead of suction cups as the tutorial recommends, as you really want to remove any chance of your fish getting over or through the sides.

Plant near the divider as well.

Answer 2

As long as you get a heater and make sure the filter doesn't disturb the betta, yes, this is fine. While I personally would keep my bettas in 5 gallons or larger, I consider a 2.5 minimal but still fine. Just don't go any smaller than that, not even by half a gallon. By the way, I couldn't talk my sister into a 5-10 gallon, but after being annoying for quite some time I convinced her to let me move her betta to a heated 2.5 gal. While I'd still like to give him more room, he is very alert and active and it's clear he isn't suffering.

Answer 3

The problem you get with kits is that they never place a strong enough filter with the tank. I would get a filter that says it filters 5 gallons if you are going to restrict the water flow even the slightest bit with a divider. I have heard of peaple doing this with bettas and it working, but if they do seem to fight through the glass I would take one of them out.

Answer 4

You can actually do this. I am looking across the room at almost the exact same setup that I have here. What you want is a LOT of tiny holes, not 1/2 inch, those are big enough to let betta anatomy pass through. Then you want to scratch the plexiglass a lot so that it is opaque. I wouldn't suggest using paint or anything like that.

Answer 5

Constantly in the presence of another betta can stress one out. They are extremely territorial, the plexi-glass divider won't matter. I'd advise against it and get them separate aquariums.

Answer 6

It can be difficult, considering they'll be flaring at each other for the rest of their lives. Maybe... It would be best to use something not see through.

Answer 7

I would not do that. Because bettas are natural fighters. It would stress them out. and if they get too stressed they will wear them self out and could die.

Answer 8

why put two natural enimies next to each other would you want to live like that ask yourself that question?

Answer 9

what can it hert.just watch them carfully the firt few hours.