Dividing Aquariums ?????

[fyic]

Looks good to me. I have mine setup the same way.....But how do you secure the lids down......got any pic's of the lids might help me with mine

Here are the pics, you can see how the all glass partition is made. I slotted the plastic lip that supports the lids, to accept the glass divider. It is completely siliconed on both sides (aquarium silicone) so well that it is now two water tight tanks....Now I know some wiseguy will note that there is danger in working with BOTH lids open, but cmon be serious....10 gallon tanks cost $10 or less, the glass divider was like $2 and I have a great glass tank at a max of $6 per T....Ah but the lids..True I did get the polycarbonate for free and I made them myself, but I like to think lids are within the scope of everyone here...On some of my tanks I got the divider tall enough so that it rises above the plastic lip so that the lids cannont even slide over to the other side....
I consider this the definitive answer to dividing tanks. You can a good look at the dangers and create something that minimizes them. And please dont tell me 'a tiny bit of danger' negates the whole split tank concept....There is always some danger somewhere, you can just as easily leave a lid or two open in the T room and have an accident when the tanks are 8 feet apart...
T

Currently housing a fasciata pair and a 3:1 ruffilata breeding group

 

[Bearskin10]

Just has to be done right and you will have no problem with T's getting into each others enclosures and eating each other. http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showpost.php?p=232720&postcount=1
Greg

Did mine pretty much in the same concept as Tony, but for the lid I built a wood frame to sit on the lip inside the tank and then routed out the wood dividers so they would slip over the glass, here are a couple pics below and for a full shot of the tank check out the link above. Greg

 

[BugToxin]

I'm going to bump this thread instead of starting a new one because this is the best thread I have seen on the topic so-far. I am going to try this, as my better half doesn't want any MORE enclosures in the T room (which is also the computer room), but is not opposed to nice looking, slightly larger, divided enclosures with more bugs in them. I have a few questions for those who might know:

1. Does anyone actually sell these, or something like these? I am not much of a craft person, and would much rather buy something nice (and finished) than try to do it myself even if it costs more money.

2. If I do have to do it myself, where do I get the aquarium caulk goo? Does petsmart sell it?

3. How many FULL GROWN T'S (say G. pulchra size) do you think could live in a standard 10 galon tank? How about a 20 long? I'm thinking two in the 10 and three in the 20. I may also keep pedes in these, and I'm thinking the same numbers of each for the pedes. Any thoughts or experience?

 

[Tony]

BugToxin

Hmm, I made mine because I coulndt find something that fufilled all me needs, and yes the Aquarium sealant is sold at major petsmart type places.

And I agree on you numbers per tank mentioned, just keep in mind the height issues and raise the soil level or something...
T

 

[prodgers69]

I have just recently done this with a 48" tank, I used colored acrylic sheet for the dividers (T's can't see each other), siliconed in place, and a wooden frame sits on the lip around the top of the tank,with 3 separate hinged lids for the 3 partitions, so you only have to open the one you need and there is no way for any sized T to get past.

 

[connor3k]

So will the T's go nuts from the sight of each other?

 

[Bearskin10]

So will the T's go nuts from the sight of each other?

No, I don't see what the purpose was for making it so they don't see each other but to each his own... Greg

 

[Tescos]

My advice would to be invest in less expensive plastic Critter Keepers.
Dividing tanks inevitably leads to accidents.

Really.

This can be a difficult fact to accept because it just seems like such an efficient idea. But it's not. One will find a way to break on through eventually. Even without the psychedelics.

I don't see there being a problem as long as to do it correct and not give them the oppertunity to get to each other.
Surly a dividing wall is not beond the scope of most people.

 

[BugToxin]

Tony,
It looks like I will be doing this myself as well, since after Googling and Yahooing I can't find anything that looks even remotely safe for bugs. The top rim of your tank looks like wood. Is it wood? Most of the tanks I see for sale in the stores are plastic now. Also, what tool did you use to cut the notch? I'm thinking a file would work, but what did you use. Finally, since the individual lids will have to be drilled for ventilation, will a regular wood bit work for the drilling? I know that I mentioned that I'm not much of a crafts guy, but I do love bugs so I will be learning. :8o :8o :8o

 

[prodgers69]

No, I don't see what the purpose was for making it so they don't see each other but to each his own... Greg

I assume your refering to me useing colored acrylic for dividers, The only reason I used this is that I already had a 2m X 1.5m sheet of it.

 

[YouLosePayUp]

Ok bug:

What you will need is a jigsaw(reciprocating saw), a file, a drill and drill bit and a tape measure.

Do the lids out of lexan/plastic of some sort clear preferred(sign shops are great for this. You can get end pieces for minimal fundage). This way you will be able to see down from the top aswell. file your notches into the tank lip. put you divider in siliconed and all. then measure the size of your tops. Mark that out with a sharpie and your tape measure. then use the jigsaw to cut it. File the edges smooth and if needbe so they fit cause undoubtedly the cut wont be perfectly straight. Then mark out where you want your holes and drill em. all this leaves left is handles. Hardware store buy some that suit your ideals and then drill lids and install.

 

[BugToxin]

I'm not sure that I have a jigsaw, but I might. I'll have to check when I get home. I do have a drill, so that will be ok. I had read elsewhere that the hardware store would cut the plexiglas for you if you gave them the measurements, but I can see how doing it yourself might be better since you could make last minute changes to the plan. I assume that you can use the plexiglass for the dividers as well. Will any blade work in the jigsaw (assuming I have one)? And again, the lip of most aquariums is plastic, not wood. I will be buying at least one new aquarium for this project and don't want to buy the cheaper plastic kind only to find out that I needed wood. Will the file cut the notch in the plastic without cracking, or breaking?

 

[Windchaser]

If you do use a plexiglass divider, which I would recommend, be careful that it is not too big. I cracked a tank because the plexiglass was just a hair too big. It stressed the glass and it cracked quite some time after I divided the tank. Fortunately, I hadn't put all the scorpions in yet. If your hardware store will cut the plexiglass for you you might want to consider it. They will probably give you a straighter cut unless you have all the right tools.

 

[bagheera]

I have nine divided enclosures. 6 came to me complete with spiders. I don't like the closures or space allotment. If done right, ther is zero danger of um, contamination of spider "A" by spider "B".

3 I built. All these tanks are yard sale finds. $3-$5. The crack in the back of one is of little concern to me.The first is here

THe latest started life (with me) those nifty sliding screened covers. On the tall enclosure, I had them cut a second hole in the side and provide aluminum molding for an easily fabricated sliding screen door. Each side has independent side and top access.

I went to a shop that does screen doors and windows and bought plastic channel a bit over 1/8" wide.
I obtained the appropriate molding for the to top sliding screens. This was ordered from EBV. At any ace you can buy aluminum molding that holds screen with round strips. The corners also came from hdwre store. They also sel screen, steel, plastic or bronze. I used bronze for the B vagans who did quite a job on the last steel screen... WARNING: the bronze did quite a job on my fingers, ventilating then in 50 places.....
So, The channel was put down the center with RTV. A sheet of glass slides down into that. The molding is likewise glued on either side of that. New sliding tops were assembled quite easily and the screen installed. Molding was glued to the front. Rather quickly too. I used a steel rule, matte knife, and mitre saw with a fine tooth blade for cutting the plastic molding as well as the aluminum.