Water Volume vs. Tank Length

[T.louderback]

I'm building a VERY shallow reef (60''x24''x10") and I'm considering fish for when I actually get setup. I was reading the tang tank size forum and according to gallons I dont meet any requirements ( 65 gallons ) but on length I meet a couple of requirements for tangs I like ( 5 foot tank ). I'm using a 55 gallon sump so I made up for the extra water volume as much as I could. Would I be well off keeping tangs like a yellow, hippo or powder blue? ( not all at once of course) Thanks!

 

[RayL]

You would be better off keeping either a kole or tomini. If your mind is set on one that you listed, I would recommend the yellow.

 

[Reef Frog]

No Tang expert here. But if you account for a sand bed of 1" and 1" of space below the rim, you have 8" of usable vertical space. If you have LR with branching or plating corals, the swimming space is further limited. It sounds like a stressful environment for the fish to me.

 

[T.louderback]

Thanks for the input. I'm really not a fan of koles or tominis so i would go for the yellow. I'll add a tang later though if my scape allows for enough swimming space

 

[sandwi54]

Even though fish swim mostly horizontally, they do swim vertically frequently as well. I probably wouldn't put any tangs in less than 10" of vertical space.

 

[snorvich]

Even though fish swim mostly horizontally, they do swim vertically frequently as well. I probably wouldn't put any tangs in less than 10" of vertical space.

I agree.

 

[davocean]

I see LFS do something like this in their frag tanks of similar dimensions, and most likely they do this for algae control, usually very small tangs, and only short term(it's a fish store, they are going to move it)
I don't think this is something that should be advocated or copied w/ the thought of being long term at all, or even short term really.
If you want algae control for such a tank go w/ a lawnmower blenny, much better for those dims.
Wait on tangs until you can provide a proper and healthy space for them would be my advice.

 

[snorvich]

Some folks focused primarily on coral have shallow tanks, but not desirable for most fish long term.

 

[T.louderback]

Thanks for all the advice. I've put too much money into this tank to change it now so I guess I'll just have to adjust my stocking list

 

[T.louderback]

Also, since tangs are out of the question, would 2 dwarf angels be fine give the large footprint of the tank? I'm considering putting my yellow heralds and a flame angel. Thoughts are appreciated