tangs and algae

[jacksonpt]

I'm trying to make long term plans for a new tank. I've been reading about different tangs and the requirements to keep them. All the reading I've done shows they need algae as part of their diet (this news is not groundbreaking by any means). Anyways... why types of algeas to tangs eat (kole, yellow, purple, powder blue, etc.)? Seems like most of the time I see them picking at rocks.
My rocks don't have any visible algae on them, but my sand does have some diatom algae. I assume my big tank will end up basically the same. Tangs don't generally tough diatom algae, do they? Seems like they eat mostly hair algae. Am I off the mark here? I don't want to plan on one unless I know I can keep it happy.

 

[kreach]

First off, what size tank are you planning on getting?
As far as the type of algae, we feed our tangs dried seaweed sheets (Julian Sprung's Sea Veggies or Seaweed Selects). You can get them at your local fish store. Just fold them up, put them in a feeding clip and let the tangs graze.
Hope this helps!

 

[jacksonpt]

Approx 375g (5'x5'x2'), but I'm still talking with my builder about exact dimensions. I've tried several of the dried seaweed options with little to no luck. I've never tried Julian Sprung's Sea Veggies, but I have tried Seaweed Select. The dried seaweed option has just never worked for me, and I've had to return 3 tangs because of it (kole, yellow, powder blue).

 

[kreach]

Sounds like it will be a nice tank for whatever tangs you decide to put in it!
We've never had any trouble getting our tangs to eat the seaweed sheets... although sometimes it has taken them a few hours (or a day or two) to get used to feeding from the clip.
Ours do seem to like the Julian Sprung's Sea Veggies better than the Seaweed Selects. You might also try nori (dried, not roasted)... it's the dried seaweed used in sushi and is available at most asian markets.

 

[theplowking]

I feed my Kole Tang the seaweed salad. Every morning I place a 3 inch strip on a clip. The clip is empty by night fall. He also has about 70lbs of live rock to surf.

 

[beaslbob]

I highly recommend live algae. My yellow is constantly grazing and picks at gracilliaera (spelling) and my kelp like caulpera. When I had a ball of hair algae he goes absolutely crazy. a 1" ball only lasts a couple of hours.