What is the best macro for tangs

[buff1]

I want to establish some sort of macro algae in my display tank that a kole tang will eventually want to graze on. I will also have a refugium with chaetomorpha, ulva, gracilaria, and possibly some type of caulerpa. I will use these to supplement the tangs diet, but I thought it would be neat if there was another type of macro in the tank all the time for the fish to pick at. The chaetomorpha, and gracilaria both are not anchored, so those won't work. The Ulva I have no experience with, and the Caulerpa is apparently not always appetizing to tangs. Is there another choice I should consider? Thanks.

 

[danmhippo]

Dry seaweed in typical oriental market. I find them best food for the herbivores. Also the dry seaweed can quickly soak up selco makes it even more nutritious.

 

[mgk65]

If you put something in the main tank, it would never grow as the tang would eat it all and not allow it to grow. The best would be to periodically take some from the refugium and place it in the main tank.

mgk

 

[naesco]

In order for your kole tang to survive it needs film not macro algae.
Therefore you need to keep an area of the glass dirty.
Throw some of those smooth green stones you find at an LFS in a pile. As well as providing perfect food it is an excellent place for the pods to hide and breed.

 

[danmhippo]

OOPS , I missed the Kole tang part. Yep, kole tang does not chew on macros, but diatom, and film green/red algae. I have a kole that I later acclimated it to flakes and frozens, but that takes a while.

 

[buff1]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I assumed that all Tangs eat macros. So the Ulva and Gracilaria are useless for this tang? I will consider some other tangs. Any suggestions? I love the look of Purple Tangs, but I've read on this board that they can be aggressive. My tank is a 120 4x2x2, so I want a relatively small tang. Yellow tangs are OK, but I would prefer something a little more unusual.

 

[naesco]

Check out www.wetwebmedia.com/tangs,.htm
You are limited by the length of your tank.
How about a black tang. You could start saving your money now.

 

[danmhippo]

Either purple or black will be great for you.