What Are Dividers for Aquariums?

When you set up a new aquarium, you want to make sure you choose fish that are compatible with one another -- species that generally get along well with one another. At times, however, dividing a single aquarium into separate sections is the best course of action.

  1. Betta Aquarium

    • Male bettas are fascinating fish, and a favorite first pet among aquarium hobbyists. But even though two bettas can be twice as beautiful, it is unwise to place them in the same tank. Another name for the betta is the Siamese fighting fish, and housing two males together can result in some nasty fights, and equally nasty injuries. Placing a glass divider down the center of the aquarium means you can watch as the two bettas spar and dance, without any risk of injury to your pets. You can also use screen dividers, but using glass allows the two bettas to see one another and encourages them to flare and dance.

    Breeder Tank

    • Some species of fish, including popular livebearers like platies and swordtails, are easy to breed, even for beginning hobbyists. But if you plan to breed your fish you need to set up the tank properly. Other fish in the tank may see those newly hatched fry not as baby fish but as a tasty snack. With a divider, you can create a special breeder tank, complete with hiding places and plants for the newly hatched fish. The other fish in the tank remain on one side of the glass or screen divider, while the baby fish stay on the other, safer side of the tank.

    Isolating Fish

    • Even when you strive to stock your tank with compatible fish, you might find that a particular fish is being harassed or bullied by the other tank residents. Setting up a divider in the tank allows that bullied fish to live in peace, while still allowing you to enjoy the other fish in your community tank.

    Proper Filtration

    • When you divide your aquarium into several different compartments, it is important to provide adequate filtration for each section. The filter in one part of the tank may not be strong enough to draw contaminants from the other sections, so you should place a dedicated filter in each part of the tank. If space is tight, you can use a simple small box filter attached to an air pump to clean each section of the tank. If you use screen dividers instead of glass, you may be able to use only a single filter in one part of the tank, but if you use glass dividers it is best to filter each section separately.