Tang Question

Dave Cushing · 12/14/2006, 04:23 PM

I am going to build a custom acrylic aquarium with the dimensions 42L x 24w x 30h. This comes to about 130 gallons. I would like to put a yellow tang as one of my reef inhabitants, but I want to know if it will thrive.

Most vendors list a minimum volume of 70 gallons, but my reading implies that it is more of a swimming distance, than a true volume requirement. Will a maximum length of 42" provide adequate swimming area for a tang to thrive?

Thanks

Dave

staticx · 12/14/2006, 04:59 PM

I see alot of people get tangs in 55 gal aquariums, also in even smaller tanks. IMO I would say at least a 6 foot tank. 42 inches just isnt big enough. For a reef tank you are really looking for length and depth. Hieght just doesnt really do much.

papagimp · 12/14/2006, 05:09 PM

I have to agree. 42" seems a little short for a tang of anytype. They really do like to swim. With a tank that tall and wide, there are tons of options other than a tang that could thrive well. FWIW, if it was my tank, I'd probably try a yellow tang, but if it looked stressed out at all, I'd find a new home right away. If you did up lots of aquascaping so the tang could swim in and out of rocks and crevices all day long you may get by with one. (please don't attack me fellow reefers!, I'm just trying to help here)

IPowderBlueTang · 12/14/2006, 05:33 PM

Tangs like to swim alot, my tangs swim back and forth all day in my 6 footer and chase each other around! I would hate to see my tangs in a small tanks all cramp up, after watching them in my tank! I see some people have tangs in a 35 gal!

supertech3 · 12/14/2006, 05:42 PM

i also have seen people with the fish in 55g and seem to be fine, but your problem will arise much later when the fish gets larger, if you like the yellow tang i say go for it and if later a problem arises then deal with it by maybe a trade-in on your fish for another

tanker · 12/14/2006, 06:10 PM

This is one of those questions that "Length Does Matter". I would go with at least 48" and longer if possible. 30" is a little too high. 20-24" is better for light pennitration.

AquaKnight · 12/14/2006, 08:00 PM

We have a YT in our 30. He does great. We have 47lbs of LR that he darts in and out of all day, plus there's still enough room infront and behind the formations for open area swmming. He looks great and appears happy. I completely understand that I will not be able to keep him forever and he'll have to go back to the store when he grows up a bit. Or I get that 120gal tank I'm planning on.

grimreefer01 · 12/14/2006, 08:17 PM

tang = ich

Dave Cushing · 12/15/2006, 12:38 AM

Thanks for all the advice. Unfortunately, 42 is the longest possible in the area that my wife will let me put it, that is why I am having something custom made.

I thought the length mattered, I just hoped I was being a little pessimistic and the 42" would be adequate. There are plenty of other fish I like that I don't need to make an animal suffer for my enjoyment.

As for the height, I am planning a DSB and metal halides. I am thinking of using high light corals near the top, with lower light species near the bottom. Nothing is set in stone yet, I still have quite a bit of planning and research that I want to do first.

Thanks

Dave

staticx · 12/15/2006, 06:29 AM

Right on dave I am glad that you made a good choice about the tang.

tanker · 12/15/2006, 11:25 AM

Sounds good (no Tangs), lots of other good fish though.

PS--With good MH you can put light lovers anywhere.

Gary Majchrzak · 12/15/2006, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave Cushing
I am going to build a custom acrylic aquarium with the dimensions 42L x 24w x 30h. This comes to about 130 gallons. I would like to put a yellow tang as one of my reef inhabitants, but I want to know if it will thrive.

Most vendors list a minimum volume of 70 gallons, but my reading implies that it is more of a swimming distance, than a true volume requirement. Will a maximum length of 42" provide adequate swimming area for a tang to thrive?

Thanks

Dave

I think a YT can do just fine in such a 130.

12/14/2006, 04:23 PM	#1
Dave Cushing Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Van Nuys, CA Posts: 5	Tang Question I am going to build a custom acrylic aquarium with the dimensions 42L x 24w x 30h. This comes to about 130 gallons. I would like to put a yellow tang as one of my reef inhabitants, but I want to know if it will thrive. Most vendors list a minimum volume of 70 gallons, but my reading implies that it is more of a swimming distance, than a true volume requirement. Will a maximum length of 42" provide adequate swimming area for a tang to thrive? Thanks Dave

12/14/2006, 05:09 PM	#3
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	I have to agree. 42" seems a little short for a tang of anytype. They really do like to swim. With a tank that tall and wide, there are tons of options other than a tang that could thrive well. FWIW, if it was my tank, I'd probably try a yellow tang, but if it looked stressed out at all, I'd find a new home right away. If you did up lots of aquascaping so the tang could swim in and out of rocks and crevices all day long you may get by with one. (please don't attack me fellow reefers!, I'm just trying to help here) __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

12/14/2006, 04:59 PM	#2
staticx Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: oregon Posts: 825	I see alot of people get tangs in 55 gal aquariums, also in even smaller tanks. IMO I would say at least a 6 foot tank. 42 inches just isnt big enough. For a reef tank you are really looking for length and depth. Hieght just doesnt really do much.

12/14/2006, 05:33 PM	#4
IPowderBlueTang Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Canada Posts: 769	Tangs like to swim alot, my tangs swim back and forth all day in my 6 footer and chase each other around! I would hate to see my tangs in a small tanks all cramp up, after watching them in my tank! I see some people have tangs in a 35 gal!

12/14/2006, 05:42 PM	#5
supertech3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: El Paso Posts: 1,206	i also have seen people with the fish in 55g and seem to be fine, but your problem will arise much later when the fish gets larger, if you like the yellow tang i say go for it and if later a problem arises then deal with it by maybe a trade-in on your fish for another

12/14/2006, 06:10 PM	#6
tanker Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: sf bay area Posts: 3,522	This is one of those questions that "Length Does Matter". I would go with at least 48" and longer if possible. 30" is a little too high. 20-24" is better for light pennitration.

12/14/2006, 08:00 PM	#7
AquaKnight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Emerald Coast Posts: 2,030	We have a YT in our 30. He does great. We have 47lbs of LR that he darts in and out of all day, plus there's still enough room infront and behind the formations for open area swmming. He looks great and appears happy. I completely understand that I will not be able to keep him forever and he'll have to go back to the store when he grows up a bit. Or I get that 120gal tank I'm planning on.

12/14/2006, 08:17 PM	#8
grimreefer01 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Eastern Michigan Posts: 138	tang = ich

12/15/2006, 12:38 AM	#9
Dave Cushing Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Van Nuys, CA Posts: 5	Thanks for all the advice. Unfortunately, 42 is the longest possible in the area that my wife will let me put it, that is why I am having something custom made. I thought the length mattered, I just hoped I was being a little pessimistic and the 42" would be adequate. There are plenty of other fish I like that I don't need to make an animal suffer for my enjoyment. As for the height, I am planning a DSB and metal halides. I am thinking of using high light corals near the top, with lower light species near the bottom. Nothing is set in stone yet, I still have quite a bit of planning and research that I want to do first. Thanks Dave

12/15/2006, 06:29 AM	#10
staticx Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: oregon Posts: 825	Right on dave I am glad that you made a good choice about the tang.

12/15/2006, 11:25 AM	#11
tanker Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: sf bay area Posts: 3,522	Sounds good (no Tangs), lots of other good fish though. PS--With good MH you can put light lovers anywhere.