Using Agricultural methods with bettas

Ok, now that I ended up with too many males by some of my females being actually 'young males' - I went ahead and tried a version of my brainstorm in housing multiple bettas in a single tank. This will make the workload much less - since now the water can cycle properly. Thus, having better and more consistant water quality.

My brainstorm came from the standard Agricultural practice of 'housing' aggressive stallions/bulls in ajoining paddocks which allow them more room for exercise yet keep them apart. Seems like a good philosophy for bettas.



'Traditional way to raise bettas' - these were purchased used from a local breeder:
[/img]


'New Ag Method way' - that I'm testing out:
[img][/img][img]
Males are in the tank on the right, females on the left. (though two of my females get along, so they're housed together in my planted tank). Each betta gets approx 1G of space, a snail and a java fern. Water in the 'paddock tanks' is filtered using sponge filters. Dividers are made from a foam demo board and have multiple holes punched for water flow/exchange. I will be adding a second light over the females tank this week. This way, each betta has 6-8X the space to explore than the average 'jar' that the show judge tells me most breeders use.

I plan to use this same idea if I'm ever successful breeding these guys. But instead of a 5.5G - I will use 10G or 20L and undergravel filtration instead of sponge filtration.

If you get the plastic binders that hold plastic report covers put them on the end for support. I had one tank I silicone the binders in so I could remove the mesh easlily or put it back in quickly. (also the bettas can't slip through the gaps and get to each other.) Popular Diy tank divider for years.

This is pretty much how I do it also...

But I have a Question

My males see each other and seem to be flared up all the time. Can this be harmful to them seems like it would burn alot of energy?

I've got a traditional tank divider at work. Decided against using it with these bettas for that very reason. These foam one stay put if cut to fit right under the lip of the tank, and burying the bottom in sand on both sides. No problems so far. Males stay calm except when they challenge the snails - which is kind've funny to watch.

Betta people have been using dividers for years it is nothing new. I use white canvas and they don't flare and even if they did it doesn't hurt them. Once in a while it gives them something to do. I also have male bettas in jars right next to each other and they get so they don't even pay any attention to each other. Flaring does not hurt them in the least.

so how did u set this all up i would love to know. so i can do it in my tanks

i used cheap plastic needlework netting from michaels for mine. they were .50 for a sheet. cut it down and put the binder spines on. still allows water flow. great and cheap.

whisper, i wondered about that since i have a book on bettas and it says that it will stress them out when they flare. but i have never noticed that it stresses them. the 2 i have on my desk at work, one that was given to me and one i took in from a friend, sit right next to each other and ignore the other. i just took over care for a while for another friend at work since he won't eat for her. he did this last week and i had him for 2 days and had him eating again. i just did good old salt baths for him. i may end up with a third betta on my desk

Get a piece of foamboard, cut it to fit vertically in the 10G (or whatever size tank you have). Then soak it in sink to remove paper, scrub with a sponge to remove glue, poke holes in it with pencil to allow water current. Then put your homemade divider in the tank and have two (or up to 4) different decent-sized cubicals for the bettas. The bettas can see each other through the holes, but not get to each other. And you have a fully cycling system, so water changes are minim