Classic newbie after 10 years!

Mrbras · 07/26/2013, 06:47 AM

Hi gurus, respect!

Been doing SW with reasonable success for 25 years. OK, 5 years 20 years ago (eels and sharks in 6ft 300g tank) and now 5 years in 80g corner tank. Current setup is Trigon 350 with 40kg live rock, no sump, 25x flow, KH 12, Ca 400 - 420, sal 1.025, temp 25C. Nitrate, phosphate etc undetectable for 2 years plus. Some vinegar dosing (15ml per day max varied to maintain algae growth as food). I do dose Mg but don't test. Yes, bad lad!

So, just signed up but reading forums for years. Sadly, just read 'tank size for tangs' so embarrassing as it is' here's my inhabitants.

3x blue leg hermits
2x medium trochus snails
1 x 4 inch powder blue tang
1 x 4 inch hippo tang
1 x 2 inch bicolour blenny (? Purple anterior, yellow posterior/tail)
A few lps coral frags doing beautifully where they can out compete the algae, don't know what types. Might even be some softies in there. No sps since disastrous episode few months back

Very wide range of red, green, brown, black, yellow algae on some LR, always grazed short by tank mates. Some bubble, hair, macro, calciforous etc etc etc. nothing ever seems to get the upper hand, somehow got a nice balance which waxes and wanes but stays pretty stable.

Currently everyone is happy and harmonious. I 'never' feed anyone, I control algal growth with careful vinegar dosing and all has been well for 6 months. Last addition was the blenny a week ago but shes (lil Lucy) lost in a tabk like this. Gotta reduce vinegar soon to keep food level up - Got fish fuel marine green in freezer 'just in case' but doubt I'll need it provided algae responds to reduced vinegar in time.

So, question is, am I already overstocked? My lfs is understanding with me, and I could destock if advised to, but only reluctantly. If I'm not overstocked, how would I go with a flame angel. I know it might affect my corals, but I'm not concerned if It does. I actually think most of the corals will be able to tolerate and continue to grow even with the angel attacking.

Alternatively, or even additionally, how about some inverts like coral banded shrimp or something else interesting that won't have too much impact on tank health?

Go easy on me, first time poster and all. Or not. Let me at truth.

If you agreed win me we'd both be wrong.

thegrun · 07/26/2013, 07:05 AM

Welcome to RC! I recently went through the same problem with a Flame Angel I had kept for the past 4 years in my 50 gallon cube. I thought I had researched the fish and it was acceptable to keep in a 50 gallon tank, but as it got larger it was showing signs of aggression and researched into them again and found a 70 gallon tank was the minimum size. I really liked this fish; it was beautiful and didn't nip at my corals (although it loved to eat shrimp). In the end I decided it had to go. I would advise keeping a very close eye on their behavior and remove them if they either start showing aggression or look stressed. I'm sure I will be criticized for not recommending immediate removal, but honestly I think I would just keep a close eye on them. I would never recommend someone placing tangs in your sized tank, but since they are already there...

Mrbras · 07/26/2013, 07:21 AM

Wow, thanks for the quick reply! Sorry, I probably was not clear enough in my first post. I don't have the flame angel yet, but have my eye one one at a lfs and was wanting to know if I could get away with it. Seems like I might be better to steer clear at this stage? How about some shrimp with the current tangs - will they be a possible addition?

Kennyleary93 · 07/26/2013, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrbras

Wow, thanks for the quick reply! Sorry, I probably was not clear enough in my first post. I don't have the flame angel yet, but have my eye one one at a lfs and was wanting to know if I could get away with it. Seems like I might be better to steer clear at this stage? How about some shrimp with the current tangs - will they be a possible addition?

I am going to let you know most people are going to post and tell you to remove those tangs ASAP.

thegrun · 07/26/2013, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrbras

Wow, thanks for the quick reply! Sorry, I probably was not clear enough in my first post. I don't have the flame angel yet, but have my eye one one at a lfs and was wanting to know if I could get away with it. Seems like I might be better to steer clear at this stage? How about some shrimp with the current tangs - will they be a possible addition?

My post with my experience with my Flame Angel was meant as an analogy for your Tang issue; adding a Flame Angel to your tank will be fine. Most will advise you to remove the Tangs, while I agree that removal is best, keeping a close eye on them may but you anther year with them. Ultimately they are going to need to be removed.

Mrbras · 07/26/2013, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kennyleary93

I am going to let you know most people are going to post and tell you to remove those tangs ASAP.

Yes, suspected that would be the case but would like to hear if anyone has done the same and had issues. I'm disappointed in myself that I ended up in this position. Originally I just had the CUC and Humfrey (the regal tang) but fell in love with Albert ( the powder blue) and made a bad decision in putting him in. No one will hold the blenny against me - who doesn't love 'em? With them being well settled and all going well, do I have 2 or 3 years before I have to give them up, or am I being selfish and should look for a new home for them now? If the consensus is I am being cruel now, I'll do the right thing, but it won't be easy.

Mrbras · 07/26/2013, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

My post with my experience with my Flame Angel was meant as an analogy for your Tang issue; adding a Flame Angel to your tank will be fine. Most will advise you to remove the Tangs, while I agree that removal is best, keeping a close eye on them may but you anther year with them. Ultimately they are going to need to be removed.

Sorry, understand now, and thanks. Sorry to hear about your angel. I Had a horrible experience with George, an epaulette shark I kept for 4 years and watched grow from 5 inches to 20 inches. Researched for the best home (after Sydney and Manly aquariums said no) and found an lfs with an 8ft-10ft x 4ft x 3ft home for him. Finally said goodbye, and he only lasted 2 months there. I was shattered. Needless to say feeling pretty average that I have done it again, but in no rush to let these out of my care unless I have to.

Mrbras · 07/26/2013, 08:15 AM

Just to add some info, they have slightly more than 4ft across the bowed front of the tank, 3ft on the straight sides, with a rock/cave structure built from bottom to 4 inches from water surface in the middle.

07/26/2013, 06:47 AM	#1
Mrbras Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 6	Classic newbie after 10 years! Hi gurus, respect! Been doing SW with reasonable success for 25 years. OK, 5 years 20 years ago (eels and sharks in 6ft 300g tank) and now 5 years in 80g corner tank. Current setup is Trigon 350 with 40kg live rock, no sump, 25x flow, KH 12, Ca 400 - 420, sal 1.025, temp 25C. Nitrate, phosphate etc undetectable for 2 years plus. Some vinegar dosing (15ml per day max varied to maintain algae growth as food). I do dose Mg but don't test. Yes, bad lad! So, just signed up but reading forums for years. Sadly, just read 'tank size for tangs' so embarrassing as it is' here's my inhabitants. 3x blue leg hermits 2x medium trochus snails 1 x 4 inch powder blue tang 1 x 4 inch hippo tang 1 x 2 inch bicolour blenny (? Purple anterior, yellow posterior/tail) A few lps coral frags doing beautifully where they can out compete the algae, don't know what types. Might even be some softies in there. No sps since disastrous episode few months back Very wide range of red, green, brown, black, yellow algae on some LR, always grazed short by tank mates. Some bubble, hair, macro, calciforous etc etc etc. nothing ever seems to get the upper hand, somehow got a nice balance which waxes and wanes but stays pretty stable. Currently everyone is happy and harmonious. I 'never' feed anyone, I control algal growth with careful vinegar dosing and all has been well for 6 months. Last addition was the blenny a week ago but shes (lil Lucy) lost in a tabk like this. Gotta reduce vinegar soon to keep food level up - Got fish fuel marine green in freezer 'just in case' but doubt I'll need it provided algae responds to reduced vinegar in time. So, question is, am I already overstocked? My lfs is understanding with me, and I could destock if advised to, but only reluctantly. If I'm not overstocked, how would I go with a flame angel. I know it might affect my corals, but I'm not concerned if It does. I actually think most of the corals will be able to tolerate and continue to grow even with the angel attacking. Alternatively, or even additionally, how about some inverts like coral banded shrimp or something else interesting that won't have too much impact on tank health? Go easy on me, first time poster and all. Or not. Let me at truth. If you agreed win me we'd both be wrong.

07/26/2013, 07:05 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Welcome to RC! I recently went through the same problem with a Flame Angel I had kept for the past 4 years in my 50 gallon cube. I thought I had researched the fish and it was acceptable to keep in a 50 gallon tank, but as it got larger it was showing signs of aggression and researched into them again and found a 70 gallon tank was the minimum size. I really liked this fish; it was beautiful and didn't nip at my corals (although it loved to eat shrimp). In the end I decided it had to go. I would advise keeping a very close eye on their behavior and remove them if they either start showing aggression or look stressed. I'm sure I will be criticized for not recommending immediate removal, but honestly I think I would just keep a close eye on them. I would never recommend someone placing tangs in your sized tank, but since they are already there...

07/26/2013, 07:21 AM	#3
Mrbras Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 6	Wow, thanks for the quick reply! Sorry, I probably was not clear enough in my first post. I don't have the flame angel yet, but have my eye one one at a lfs and was wanting to know if I could get away with it. Seems like I might be better to steer clear at this stage? How about some shrimp with the current tangs - will they be a possible addition?

07/26/2013, 08:15 AM	#8
Mrbras Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 6	Just to add some info, they have slightly more than 4ft across the bowed front of the tank, 3ft on the straight sides, with a rock/cave structure built from bottom to 4 inches from water surface in the middle.