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Here's how I did it.
one 5 gal w/florescent hood (pet supplies plus has them),
one small heater,
2 triangular "Aqua View" acrylic tanks 9.99 at WalMart, (get the cheap one, NOT the one with the light),
some Java Ferns.

Put the Triangular tanks IN the 5 gal so that the pointed ends(where the "right angle" is)will face the corners of the 5 gal. put the 2 smaller tanks in opposite corners so that there is more room in between them.

For adult Bettas you can put 1 in each triangle & 1 to live in the 5 gal in between the triangles.
Put the heater in between the 2 triangle tanks.
So they have a place to blow nests and to hide in I added
a little Micro Sword & Jave Fern in each small tank & the main tank.
I sparsely sprinkled some dark substrate throughout. Then I added the florescent hood & turned it on.
I can't tell you how beautiful it looks & the fish are happy exploring their new digs
the triangle tanks come with a divider too, so if you have 2 babies you can put one in each side.
Of course you can do the whole thing with 1/2 gals too, but I think the 1 gal is small enough & I know most people think Bettas would like bigger tanks. But a lot of us have just a few too many rescues & sometimes the 1 gal has to do.
For water changes it's easy to pull the triangles out, clean them and while they're out vacuum the 5 gal or clean it out completely.
Also, you NEVER have to suck on the tube to vacuum. Just put your finger on the end of the hose, then get some water in the other end from the tank, lift it up out of the tank & release your finger so the water travels down the tube just past the tank edge, then put your finger back over the end. Put the tank end back in the water sideways so it fills with water, put the other end in your bucket and release your finger, voila! the siphon action will begin & you will laugh at yourself that you ever put your mouth on the tube!

Why I did this. It's cold in winter & gas is expensive & I wanted 2 turn down my heat when I leave 4 work, but I couldn't bcuz of my Bettas. There is one in each of my large community heated tanks except for one tank which has way too much current for a Betta. So the 5 gallon idea came to me

Last edited by Sand at 12-Dec-2004 12:42

Good idea. The only thing I would add is a I would drill some small holes in each of the small aquariums to allow for water flow and better filtration.

This idea also works using a 10 gal and 2 liter soda bottles with the bottoms cut off. I can't remember exactly but I would guess you can keep 8 bettas like that.

you know that soda bottle thing is a great idea!!!
I read that they start to release some toxin or another if you use them more than a few times. i guess they're not made the same way, say, tupperware plastic is made.
but i love that idea! it's so nice to heat all your Bettas in the winter.Just one more reason NOT to live where there is a winter!
i read somewhere what you suggested with tall cylindrical glass things. they had a whole on the top and botton, like for a big fat candle or something. that was a great idea too