55 divided betta tank

[Brian Bivens]

that sounds like a great idea.... could one heater heat all the compartments and the filter cycle the water good enough?

I would do a few things...

If you use a canister filter, with the spray bar running the length of the tank, you could direct one of the extension poles to spray right, and one to spray left. That would give even water flow.

A second option would be two AC 50's, both on the short side of the tank, one filtering, each long side of the tank. It's tough to say how well it would work, but for a single beta in each compartment, I would have to think that with a little water movement, and a live plant in each compartment, you would probably be fine.

Secondly, if you drilled enough holes, it would allow for water flow to get through the tank, and third, I would use two heaters, one on each side of the tank, both rated for 30 gallons, just to make sure.

Also remember, the downside... to do a water change, you now have 8 little tanks to vacuum out!

 

[Riiz]

Another idea, is to create a harem of sorts. Buy almost all females and maybe a couple of males. If you plant the tank heavy enough the males wont find each other, or can retreat. If you goto aquabid.com or buy direct from breeders, the females are just as beautiful as males, but have shorter fins and are peaceful to each other. Just get some gentle filters and they'll be in betta heaven.

Petco is nice now, that they actually have about 3-4 different fin types in their betta sections. Outta all the big retail fish places, I will hand it to petco, atleast in my area, that the betas are actually in 1 quart containers and have clean water. Could be just a really good fish manager, but I like my petco's quality in that regard.

 

[Brian Bivens]

that sounds like a great idea.... could one heater heat all the compartments and the filter cycle the water good enough?

One last idea, but it may not go over too well. an Under gravel filter, using the two furthest lift tubes, and power heads, with the rotating jets. This lets for good water circulation within the tank, and honestly, a UGF is certainly efficient enough filtration for a beta tank (I filter my 20 long with a ugf and an AC 20)

 

[BettaFishMommy]

in regards to my idea for the nylon mesh "betta barracks", you could run two or three sponge filters across the back of the tank, one on each end and maybe one in the middle of the back, get some plants to hide the filters somewhat. As for heating goes, i'm not too sure exactly what wattage you would need for a 55, since i'm not that familiar with the maintenance of anything larger than a 10. But i would run two heaters, not just one, so that way if one konks out you still have the other keeping the water from dropping temperature too quickly.

also, if you have the compartments for the fish that are floating, you do not need a substrate, unless you are wanting live plants. I don't have gravel, etc in my tanks, makes it easier to keep them clean.

What i have proposed is a set up more designed for a betta breeder, not a betta keeper, since it may not be pretty, but it is very functional. lol.

 

[Rbishop]

A 55 is a pretty large tank to put dividers in. You will probably have to customize your own out of colored acrylic. The cost of all of it will probably be more than buying some 10 gal tanks.

 

[DooSPX]

we know, we are trying to decide what is the best route to go.
we already have too many tanks then we have room for.
living in florida, our temps dont really drop at all.... our coldwater goldie 65G stays at 76-78 with no heater.... once the Air went out for a day, and the 65 shot up to 86, as did all the betta tanks....