Barrack Update

Betta Barracks

We have had 2 of our barracks up and running for 3 months now and I can say I really like them. Each one has 12 compartments and hold about 10 gallons of water. So, with half a 30 gallon used as a sump there is about 35 gallons of water in the system as it sits now. I am water testing a third one now and will finish the fourth one shortly. I am hoping to have them hooked up and running in a few weeks. Then the system will have about 55 gallons of water. The large water volume gives the fish a large water change that allows them to grow large and quickly.

Betta Barracks

Maintenance has been very easy. Every two or three days I siphon out the feces and any uneaten food. I siphon from the barracks untill the water in the sump is too low to pump. Then I just refill the sump with aged water. The constant water flow has kept any film from forming on the bottoms or sides. My sump does have some funk on the bottom right now due to the peat I have my water running through. It is what gives the water the amber color as well. You can see a bit of java moss in the back of the photo. I have put this in both the barracks to see if it will grow in the back channel that flows water out of the system. If so, I have an out-of-the-way place to grow this moss and it will aid in filtration.

From the end you can see the bettas have a lot of room to grow and swim. They do flare at their neighbors. Since I do not have these barracks set up to put in cards to block vision, I just move them around a bit to keep them flaring. It is an issue I will have to address to get them show ready. Keeping them out of sight of other bettas does make them really snap to when they do catch sight of another one.. great for showing. The top barrack does have the ability to slid a divider down the sides to block  their sight.. but with the pvc across the top to provide water into the cells it isn’t practical to take them out and put them in very easily. I’m still thinking about this…

So far the only issue I have had is the plexi bows. The pieces I have laid across the top to reduce evaporation have bowed as well as both back pieces. Don’t know how well it can be seen in the photo. So, for the next two barracks I am going to add a brace to see if it makes a difference. Otherwise, I will need to consider using a thicker piece of plexi for the back. It is a long-span and does not have all the bracing from the cells.

Another change I might make with future barracks is instead of water flowing under the back of the cells and over another divider into the gutter I might just make a slit along the back of the cells where I want to water to over flow. Since I am not interested in moving waste, just allowing water flow, it may save me the price of the plexi as well as the additional work the other set up cost me. I also have had young fish get under and into the neighbors cell. Since I don’t want them in the gutter and washing into the sump.. I need to think that out a bit as well. As always.. we will keep you updated.