Smallest tank for Tangs

[PHyLIX]

I have a 50 gal tank and would like to add either a Regal, yellow or sailfin tang. Does anyone have any thoughts on this tank size for tangs? Is 50 gal way to small?

Thanks,

...Joe

 

[shawnhowerton]

One of my tanks is a 20 gallon reef tank(mostly just a lot of coraline algae live rock) It also has a wet dry filter and macroalgae refugium. I have had a yellow tang in it for about 8 months. It is very healthy and have had no problems. I also have a medium sized pump running fully open at one end of my tank. The tang seems to love the current. I often find him circling around at the level of the pump to catch the strong current.

I wouldn't recommend everyone to keep a tang in a 20 gallon tank. I had a very stable and established aquarium and thought it would do fine.

I would bet a 50 gallon tank would be fine if it was well established and stable.

good luck

 

[esmithiii]

Oh boy. Here we go.

E

 

[Enkidu]

Most will say that 75g is the smallest that a tang should be kept in. I've also heard that the important thing is to have a long tank so that they have room to swim a longer distance without having to stop/turn. A standard 75g is 4' long, so I might consider a 55g which is also 4' long as an alternative. This is a touchy subject though; there will be those who insist that a 125g is the absolute smallest tank, while others will say that tangs should never be kept in an aquarium. I recommend you do a search and read some of the previous theads before you do something you're going to regret.

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: Enkidu ]</p>

 

[monkeyboy]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by pendulum:
<strong>
I wouldn't recommend everyone to keep a tang in a 20 gallon tank. I had a very stable and established aquarium and thought it would do fine.

I would bet a 50 gallon tank would be fine if it was well established and stable.

good luck</strong><hr></blockquote>

Dude, just stability alone isn't going to help out the tang in the swimming dept. I'm going to assume that it's a 20l (30" long), which is really really small for any kind of energetic fish like tangs. Stability's good, but I could also have a 5 quart plastic jug w/ a 20 cubic foot wet/dry filter underneath, it would be incredibly stable, but doesn't make it right to stick a tang in it. I'd say 4' minimum tank length for tangs. 20 is a ridiculous sized tank choice for a tang, I hope it's a very small fish.

 

[monkeyboy]

Oh, about the origional question. Is the 50 a 4' tank? 3' would be pushing it, but if you were to upgrade soon, it should be fine to put a small one in. How long?

 

[SPC]

One of my tanks is a 20 gallon reef tank(mostly just a lot of coraline algae live rock) It also has a wet dry filter and macroalgae refugium. I have had a yellow tang in it for about 8 months.

Now I've seen it all!

Steve

 

[danmhippo]

Oh, boy, Steve, you shouldn't............(sigh)

I am speechless.

 

[Scott D Passe]

Hi All,

Years ago in my early saltwater tanks (FO), I kept some tangs in smaller tanks. (Not knowing any better)

But today, I would not try to keep any tang in a tank less than 6’ in length.

Can you? Yes, but you can also keep a Greyhound in a kennel.

Regards,

Scott

[ January 16, 2002: Message edited by: Scott D Passe ]</p>

 

[olgakurt]

I'll forego the tang discussion (just do a search on this forum) and suggest you get either a tuxedo or long spined urchin for algae control.

IME, the best algae control is good nutrient management and elbow grease.

What other fish do you have or are considering? Maybe we can suggest others.
_________________
Mercedes Benz L series truck

 

[Chucker]

Kudos to olgakurt for that response. A simple request folks- let's keep the replies constructive, OK?

 

[NasotheHutt]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

What are some alternatives to tangs for this size tank that are going to exibit the same characteristics? Herbivour (to take care of algae), etc.?

Do you have sanils? Hermits?

 

[McReef1]

Kudos to Scott Passe, as well, for the "Greyhound in a kennel" comment.

That said, my experience with the Yellow Tang is that it is less of a "swimmer" than a Sailfin Tang (spent more of it's time grazing than swimming the length of the tank like the Sailfin would). Any thoughts? Maybe that was simply the characteristics of the ones I had, not the general rule.

Good luck!

McReef

 

[PHyLIX]

It's a 3' tank and since I just bought it I won't be upgrading REAL soon. What are some alternatives to tangs for this size tank that are going to exibit the same characteristics? Herbivour (to take care of algae), etc.?

Thanks!

...Joe

 

[PHyLIX]

Thanks for all the great comments so far!

If I could steer the conversation and ask for recommendations on fish that would be good for a reef (and not FOWLR) setup. I just set the tank up last week and basically have 3-4 inches of substrate (.5-1mm), about 5lbs of rock, prizm skimmer with PC's with 50/50 bulbs. I am going to be cycling this tank really slow and over the next month or two am only going to be adding a LOT more rock and perhaps another inch of substrate. As the tank is so new I don't yet have an algea problem but would like to get something that will eventually graze to keep in check.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Laurie]

How's about a Lawnmower/Algae Blenny. They aren't real big swimmers, graze off the rocks and glass like crazy, and have tons of personality to boot. They will also take other foods eventually but will continue to graze. They take big chomping bites out of the algae - they have PacMan like mouths. Very cool fish! Oh yeah, they watch you, too.

 

[naesco]

PHyLIX
Way to go.
Looks like more and more reefers understand the importance of tangs (swimmers) having larger tanks.
Thanks