What size tank to upgrade to in order to keep 3 tangs

[drewdog82]

I currently have a 55 with a 30 sump/fuge. I haven't gotten any tangs because I wasn't sure if I would ever upgrade and now that I am, I will wait till I get the larger tank. The 3 tangs that I want are a yellow, a blue-hippo, and a powder blue. Can I get away with the 3 of them in a 125, or do I need to even go bigger?

 

[coraljunky]

I would say 200g+. Also depends on other content in your tank.(lr - coral- etc.)

 

[drewdog82]

Originally Posted by coraljunky
I would say 200g+. Also depends on other content in your tank.(lr - coral- etc.)
That big? I thought that these were tangs that didn't require the biggest of tanks. When looking through the books many of the tank requirements for the larger tangs are very large tanks, but for each of these tangs the requirements were between 75-110 gallons. I just figured that if I got a 6 foot tank I would be OK.

 

[coraljunky]

Will it be a fish only tank? Any rock? How much?

 

[drewdog82]

Well in my 55 I have 85lbs. In the 125 I will probably put about 150lbs.

 

[drewdog82]

Also it will be reef

 

[coraljunky]

With that much rock, I'd get two tangs. With that much rock, water volume is reduced by 20%(less swimming area). I'm only cautious with this because I've had to give fish away because they got too big. I've easily seen yellows as big as 6"+.

 

[drewdog82]

Even if the yellow got that big and the other 2 were also around that size, wouldn't a 6 foot tank be enough? Anybody else with a 125, could you please list what tangs you are having success with?

 

[sjimmyh]

IMO, if you had three tangs and wanted to make sure they didn't fight you'd have to upgrade to at least a ginormous gallon tank. That would most likely require custom made vice store bought.

 

[drewdog82]

I want to thank you for the replies. I am not one to do something knowing that it probably wont work. This is the reason that I didn't add a tang to my 55, even though tangs are probably my favorite fish. I just wanted to gather as many oppinions and experiences I could get. I saw on a semi-related previous thread, that you could add multiple tangs, as long as they weren't in the same grouping. For instance they had said that a purple and yellow would fight, but that a yellow and hippo wouldn't. When I asked about the three I liked, it was stated that they were all in different groupings. It was also stated that I should add them all at the same time and when they were relativelly young and still small. Anyone else???

 

[rara12]

I think you can do it. They should be fine for quite some time. As for the adding all at the same time i wouldnt suggest this. But i would strongly suggest a QT tank for the hippo and powder blue. Both are known for being prone to ich so a QT can save your DT and maybe some $$$.

 

[drewdog82]

Originally Posted by rara12
I think you can do it. They should be fine for quite some time. As for the adding all at the same time i wouldnt suggest this. But i would strongly suggest a QT tank for the hippo and powder blue. Both are known for being prone to ich so a QT can save your DT and maybe some $$$.
I do have a QT set up. It's a 30 gal. With my 125, I would also be using the 55 as a sump/fuge. Thanks for the response. I am a little worried about how prone to ich these 2 fish are, but I would probably QT them with hyposalinity method for 5 weeks before entering them into my DT.

 

[kilhullen]

Originally Posted by drewdog82
That big? I thought that these were tangs that didn't require the biggest of tanks. When looking through the books many of the tank requirements for the larger tangs are very large tanks, but for each of these tangs the requirements were between 75-110 gallons. I just figured that if I got a 6 foot tank I would be OK.
Well in my very limited experience and what little I know of tangs I would say if each of them requires between 75-110, then you need a tank of between 225 and 330. I would think they all need PLENTY of room since they don't seem to like other tangs (especially the same body type). Then you need to consider the amount of space the rock takes up and your climbing upwards even more (I am horrible at percentages so I won't embarrass myself there). Personally I wouldn't want to knowingly put 3 of my favorite fish in a situation where they will be fighting over territory whether it is now or later (later you will be really attached). Why not pick one and keep it so it can be happy and you can have a humanly sized tank?

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by drewdog82
I do have a QT set up. It's a 30 gal. With my 125, I would also be using the 55 as a sump/fuge. Thanks for the response. I am a little worried about how prone to ich these 2 fish are, but I would probably QT them with hyposalinity method for 5 weeks before entering them into my DT.
Drew 6' 125, stack the live rock in the very middle and make enough room so the fish can swim in circles, cool! that the way my LFS does it,, they do laps.

 

[azfishgal]

You will be fine with three tangs in a 125. I have a 125 and just bought my first Hippo Tang (in QT/Hypo for 4 weeks). Then I'll be adding a sailfin and Yellow, but I may go with an Achilies instead of the Sailfin. Regardless the Yellow will go in last. IMO 125 is fine for three tangs, it's why I got my tank. I have 160 lbs of rock and they will have plenty of swim room on both sides as well as above the rock. I did not stack my rock all the way to the top for this very reason. With this said I will probably not do a Naso as they will get to big, close to 18" I think. Here is a picture of my tank:

If others are still saying you need a larger tank, then have them send you a check to help pay for it.

 

[sc0rp_xiii]

If others are still saying you need a larger tank, then have them send you a check to help pay for it.

haha, agreed. I think if the tank is setup right; rockwork, alot of flow, etc that you would be able to pull it off. I got a 6' 125 gallon for this very reason as well.
Azfishgal, good luck finding a good achilles specimen to add to the tank. I would love to get one but they are pricey and from what I have read one of the hardest tangs to keep.

 

[stanlalee]

you can keep three smaller or not yet full size tangs in a 125g but you have to be selective or what type of tangs and it will not likely be big enough indefinately. Hippos and any tang in the Naso (unicorn) family will not be suitable for a 125g indefinately. sailfins, clown, sohal and probably some others arent permenantly suitable for a125 either. three smaller or moderate size tangs can be kept in a 125g but I wouldn't recommend anyone do it. If you get two that coexist and get along in a 125g why push it. get the two you most want then consider exploring diversity. tangs are fairly boring after you've had em for a while anway

 

[sjimmyh]

I just don't know. There are always risks involved with about everything we do. All we can do is go with the way fish typically behave. I have seen a lot of tangs from when I worked at a LFS about ten years ago... can you have multiple tangs in one tank? Yes. Are there risks with fights? Yes. No matter the species. Tangs can pick on just about anything they feel like. I have seen them terrorize an entire tank. I have seen them docile as a lamb. I just don't like risks. Too much money involved.

 

[sc0rp_xiii]

diversity wouldn't be a bad idea. look at a medium to larger sized angel to coexist once the tank is well established

 

[azfishgal]

Drew, I really think you should do what's best for you. Take it slow and I truely believe you will be fine. I'm really surprised there are so many objections on here about having 3 tangs in a 6' long tank, when you see people with 75 gallon tanks that have had tangs for years. Not that I personally would do it, but a 6' tank is going to be enough room, but I wouldn't do more than three. You can also do what many do and get them small, like 3", and when they start to get to big, like 10" then trade them for new ones. Take the info you are given and then make your own decision. You sound like you care a great deal about your fish, so I'm sure you will give them a great home, no matter what the size. A person can have a 500 gallon tank, but unless they take care of it the fish, no matter how big or small, will suffer.