Purple tang?

[kdlbem]

I have heard conflicting information. Some say a purple shouldn't be in a 75 gal. Others say it's just fine. So what do you say????
I have a 75 that's been up over a year. 100+ lbs. of LR, 100 lbs. LS, 20+assorted corals(softies, LPS, a couple of SPS, and a deresa clam). 30 assorted hermits, 30 snails. All kinds of amphipods, copepods, spaghetti worms, tubeworms, etc. A false perc, a dottyback, 3 firefish, and a mandarin are the current residents.
All levels test perfect, even 0 nitrates for 6 months now. Corals are growing very well. So I'm not worried about the water quality, just the size of the tank.
What do you all think?
Thanks,
B

 

[teog]

the questiosn becomes, how big is your tang. I have a very large purple tang is a 160 FOWLR. I would never put him in a smaller tank than a 100 gallon because of his size. I also have a small/medium naso in a 90g reef. But when he grows he will be moved into the bigger tank.
So if your purple tang is a small sized then you will be ok for a while...but when he gets bigger he needs to be moved into something bigger...my tang is a big swimmer and is always on the move.

 

[obx fish]

In my book..."Marine Fishes", is says that the minimum tank requirement for the Purple tang is 100 gallons. But...If everyone went "by the book" what fun could this hobby be.

 

[10k]

Well said OBX. I have a juvenile blue spotted Naso in a 20gal, and he is as happy as he can be. Go figure! 80gal less than reguired..

 

[sandy]

I have a purple tang in my 50 gal. She is still small enough and happy. I have a lot of LR holes for her to swim in and out of. She will be moving to a new home as soon as she seems cramped.
I'm going to "shop" for a good home and donate her - hopefully to someone with a 300 gal tank or so...
The tank may seem empty when she is gone, but I am looking forward to a reduced bioload as well.