Attaching the Sides to the Tank

4. Make a frame for a plastic canvas divider. Use the spines from two report covers to make your frame. Start by pulling the sliding plastic spines off the report covers. Slide one spine on each long side of the mesh or plastic canvas to make the bars of the frame. Cut to size if needed.

• Consider making the frame sturdier by adding a third spine on the bottom of the canvas.
• Look for report covers in an office supply store.
• Use snap frames for poster boards instead of report cover spines for a more sturdy frame.
• Don’t bother with a frame for egg crates.
  

  Small Fish Tank Filter

5. Secure the divider in the tank. Tuck the sides of the frame or the egg crate under the lip of the tank. Aim for a very snug fit. You can further secure the divider with suction cups. Attach suction cups to the frame with the fishing line. Use plastic zip ties to attach them to the egg crate.

• You might need to cut the sides of the frame down for them to fit.
• Add an extra piece of plastic canvas on the outside of the frame if there is a gap between the suction cups and the sides of the tank. Do this to prevent fish from swimming through the gaps.
  

  Small Fish Tank Filter

6. Adhere egg crates to the tank with silicone. Glue the thinnest sides of the egg crates to the tank with aquarium-safe pure silicon. Use a marker to draw a line on the outside of the tank to guide where the silicone needs to go. Then add the silicone and slide it into the divider. Remove the marker with rubbing alcohol or a similar cleaning agent.

• Look for this silicone in pet stores, craft shops, online, or in building supply stores.
• Do this in a dry tank for best results.

Ensuring the Divider is Secure

7. Stabilize the divider on top. If the divider doesn’t fit snugly under the lip of the tank, secure it on top. Use duct tape or tie small weights onto it that overhang the outside of the tank. Alternatively, attach suction cups to the top of the divider and secure those to the outside top of the tank. You can also use hot glue or silicone to adhere the dividers to the top of the tank.

8. Anchor the divider. Don’t let the divider move on the bottom. Anchor the divider by burying it under the substrate at the bottom of the fish tank. You can also prop it in place by shoring up rocks on either side of the divider.

Small Fish Tank Filter

9. Use safe materials. Never make a tank divider out of wire, harmful metals, or sharp materials. Thoroughly clean any materials you might be reused to make the divider. Check with your vet or pet store if you’re unsure about the safety of any items you want to put in your fish tank.