Tangs in a shallow reef tank

[TravelinLight]

Quick Question! I am now having a new tank built 72x24x14 around 105 gallons and I am wondering if the shallow reef will be too small for my tangs- I have a Purple and a Kole tang and want in the future to add a powder blue. it will have minimal rock work with SPS and a few softies. What do you guys think?

 

[Norcalhkr]

That seems pretty shallow for tangs since they like to swim, sounds like they will have the length and open space though so it might work. I would worry about them jumping if the scare themselves

 

[ClippersTown]

That should definitely be fine, 14 inches isnt THAT shallow

 

[ace_92101]

That seems pretty shallow for tangs since they like to swim, sounds like they will have the length and open space though so it might work. I would worry about them jumping if the scare themselves

+1. If you're going to try it, I'd go with the Kole. Let us know what happens.

 

[chaturai]

i saw while snorkeling tangs are live in shallow waters like 12 inch deep

 

[cuse1]

I have a hippo in a 72x 48x12 inches high,, hes atleast 6 inches,, happy and healthy!!
You'll be fine

 

[Esage]

Quick Question! I am now having a new tank built 72x24x14 around 105 gallons and I am wondering if the shallow reef will be too small for my tangs- I have a Purple and a Kole tang and want in the future to add a powder blue. it will have minimal rock work with SPS and a few softies. What do you guys think?

I have a kole tang in a 48x24x12. I think anything under 12" would be to shallow.

 

[crvz]

I think you'll be fine, that's not terribly shallow. I like the look of a shallow tank as well. Good luck!

 

[Macimage]

I wouldn't put all three of those tangs in the shallow 105. Perhaps just put the two you own now in it. What other fish will you have it in?

 

[TravelinLight]

Melanurus wrasse, orchid Dottyback, two chromis, yellow clown goby, and a diamond goby. I am not sure if my Zebra Moray will end up in my shallow reef or not..

 

[drej424]

Based on the way my tangs swim, I'd have concerns also. Do you have an alternative tank in case there any problems?

 

[TravelinLight]

I have a 120 tall- 48x24x24 (that they are in now)with absolutely no problems. The Purple and Kole simply float around picking at rocks and on occasion will cruise. The only fish I would have a concern about is the powder blue- I want length but not depth due to being short and not wanting to go swimming every time a frag falls. This tank will be my tank until I finish with my engineering degree and settle into a house with a larger income to build the dream tank.

 

[nikon187]

the powder blue needs a bigger tank than what you have. I would stick with the 2 you have now.

 

[drej424]

I think length is more important for tangs. In a 105 tank, adding a third tang can invite aggression. Your new tank sounds like its going to be really nice. I hope you post some pix when you set it up.

 

[BrianD]

the powder blue needs a bigger tank than what you have. I would stick with the 2 you have now.

Yes.

 

[ken6217]

Length is better than height. 6' is fine.

Btw, I heard a tang say once when I passed by its tank, 'Man I'm so glad they moved me from a 90 gallon tank to a 125 gallon tank, it makes it so much closer to the 10 million gallon part of the reef I used to swim in.