Do It Yourself (DIY) Betta Condominiums

[Shiraz]

I decided to experiment with divided tanks this week - a decision brought on by not wanting to do the WCs on my ~200 jarred fish.  My past attempts to make divided tanks didn't work... the darn things got too dirty, and they were too hard to clean.

In this attempt, I was inspired by the plastic "betta barracks" that you hang off the side of the tank, because these can be easily taken out to clean.  To make my own, I used needlepoint sheets to make divided "cages", which I hung off the sides of my tank.  I can fit 8 fish in a 10 gallon tank, giving them each a (roughly) 4" x 4" x 5" space.  The tank itself is filtered, and I add IAL to the water.

So far the results are good.  I had most of the stuff, so the cost was about $20 for the needlepoint sheets.  The fish all seem active, and the males are bubbling.  The tank also seemed to cycle immediately because I had never cleaned those filters after using them last http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' /> Best yet, I've moved 3/4 of my jarred fish into this type of housing, and my water change time has been reduced from 4 hours to 2 hours, which is mostly spent pythoning (aka sitting around and drinking beer!)... sweet!

Here they are:  (ugly... I know!)

Whole Tank:
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/ShirazBetta/BettaCondo1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

Birds Eye View 1:
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/ShirazBetta/BC3.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

Bird's Eye View 2:
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o230/ShirazBetta/BettaCondo2.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

[zenafish]

Nicely done...I don't have the patience to make things like that though http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/tongue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tongue.gif' />

I had something similar going (I used a plastic basket from the dollar store, and partitioned with needlepoint canvas), but I gave up on it after a while, because I don't like the fact that I can't see the side of the bettas (can only view them from the top), and if anything happens to their fins, it takes me a while before I'd notice.

So back to the beanies I went http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' />

[baycitybettas]

I was wondering if your fish could blow bigger nests....  http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/tongue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tongue.gif' />  

[crazy4bettas]

I was wondering if your fish could blow bigger nests....  http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/tongue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tongue.gif' />

Wondering the same thing   http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' />   If that's all it takes for the boys to build, I'm in!!!!  

[Shiraz]

I had something similar going (I used a plastic basket from the dollar store, and partitioned with needlepoint canvas), but I gave up on it after a while, because I don't like the fact that I can't see the side of the bettas (can only view them from the top), and if anything happens to their fins, it takes me a while before I'd notice.

I already hate this about the system.  I can see their outlines at the side, but can't clearly see fins or anything.  I think I'm going to change the outside panel to a clear plastic to fix this.  I think I'll be able to find something at Business Depot or similar store.  

I was wondering if your fish could blow bigger nests....

lol, it's been a week and they are still going nuts!  My jarred males are doing this too, I think they really like the new batch of almond leaves  http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' />  

Wondering the same thing wink.gif If that's all it takes for the boys to build, I'm in!!!!

As much as I want to take credit for this, I don't think I can!  Ever since I started juicing their water with IAL extract and found a feeding/water change schedule that worked for them, my males started bubbling and wouldn't stop.  

I'm hoping they continue to thrive in this system.  With school/work/life ramping up, I need the time savings!

[Ian Turkstra]

wow that's a great job.  I may have to work out something like that once all my juvies finish growing up.  I'll have more than I'll know what to do with.

Let us know how your attempt at getting a clear side works out...  

[KillBill]

... and look at all that space where a sorority can swim... http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' />

I had planned something like this, stuff is still in the shopping bag. For outside I bought "cutting plates", same rack as the mesh.. need to find the time to put them together... (that is, go buy silicone first)

[ontariobetta]

I do the same thing, but I make the little windows in the sides. It takes a while, but its worth it! Just look around your house for clear plastic things, I've used just about anything. I think what works best is the plastic sheets you use for overhead projectors. They are thin and easy to cut and poke holes in. I've also just gone through the recycling bin and found lots of usefull stuff, mostly from fruit containers.  

[Bettamorris]

Sorry could you just clarify how you would use overhead transparency's?

[MRuttle]

Ashley have any pics?