Which 120 is better for tangs?

[Mattsaquariums]

I might be getting another 120 but the other kind which the dimensions are 48"L x 24"W x 25"T. So i was wondering which 120 size is better for more fish such as tangs?
1) 60"L x 18"W x 26"T
2) 48"L x 24"W x 25"T

If people could give me their opions that would be great
Thanks,

-Matt

 

[scuzy]

The longer the tank the more room for them to swim since they are distance swimmers. Then again If you ask the tang police they might say none cause a 120 is too small for any tangs. Just my opinion thou

 

[AquaticFins]

I pretty much always suggest going for the additional width.

In this case, it's only a slightly larger footprint in terms of square inches, but the extra width offers a major improvement in the ability to create aquascapes that leave more open area for swimming room.

 

[DustyReefer]

In the case of the 120 the only tangs your going to really going to want to put in there anyways are smaller species of zebrasoma and bristletooths. In that case I'd say either tank is suitable for them. It's then more of a personal preference.

 

[teog]

Depends on the tangs. Most folks in general would say length is more important in this size tank.

That being said I have a 4 foot 120 and have a purple and small hippo in it. Some people may frown upon that, but I have never had an issue with these species in this size tank (this is my second 120). A full size hippo will eventually outgrow it. They grow to 12 inches.

 

[MrTuskfish]

The longer, the better. Tangs are very hardy fish and you can find lots of folks who have kept them in shorter tanks. I'd bet anyone I can keep a Hippo alive for at least a year in a 20 gal tank; but I'd never do it. Alive and thriving are two different things. I wouldn't keep most tangs in a 60" tank.

 

[Ambition]

Alive and thriving are two different things.

That is what many people lack in understanding of why the RC suggested tank sizes for tangs were put the way they were. The end goal of every hobbyist should be to have all of their livestock thriving as opposed to just being alive in the tank. IMO, fish thriving make a display 100x better than a fish just living in a display.

 

[Derbird]

Have you looked in to the 125, 72 X 18 X 20. This is the size tank I have and will never go less then six feet. I have two happy tangs, a sailfin and bristletooth

 

[sponger0]

The longer the tank the more room for them to swim since they are distance swimmers. Then again If you ask the tang police they might say none cause a 120 is too small for any tangs. Just my opinion thou

Not true. There are a few tanks suitable for a 120.

That is what many people lack in understanding of why the RC suggested tank sizes for tangs were put the way they were. The end goal of every hobbyist should be to have all of their livestock thriving as opposed to just being alive in the tank. IMO, fish thriving make a display 100x better than a fish just living in a display.

Agreed.


I think the question the OP really needs to answer first is what kind of tangs do you want. Then you can figure out tank size.

And if you go with a 6 foot tank, why not just do 150 or 180 gallon tank.

 

[grcforce327]

2x4x2 120g with a purple. Alot of openings through the Manado rock that he uses.

 

[Mattsaquariums]

2x4x2 120g with a purple. Alot of openings through the Manado rock that he uses.

Thanks for all the help guys. Are Purple tangs skiddish? Like do they hide allot? I am starting to look at these because it would be nice to have 1 purple tang and some grounds of smaller fish. It would probably look like a real reef lol. But i dont want a tang that hides allot

 

[sponger0]

Purple tangs are suppose to be one of the more aggressive tangs. And they are recommended for 125 6 foot tanks

 

[grcforce327]

Are Purple tangs skiddish? Like do they hide allot? I am starting to look at these because it would be nice to have 1 purple tang and some grounds of smaller fish. It would probably look like a real reef lol. But i dont want a tang that hides allot

Just the opposite. Mine also gets along with others,but will not tolerate another tang!

 

[teog]

Thanks for all the help guys. Are Purple tangs skiddish? Like do they hide allot? I am starting to look at these because it would be nice to have 1 purple tang and some grounds of smaller fish. It would probably look like a real reef lol. But i dont want a tang that hides allot

Most purple tangs are social fish. Mine is constantly out swimming and looking for food.

 

[Mattsaquariums]

Just the opposite. Mine also gets along with others,but will not tolerate another tang!

Ok cool! And ya i thought they did not like other tangs of their kind very well lol

Most purple tangs are social fish. Mine is constantly out swimming and looking for food.

Really? Sweet!

 

[fishmanstan]

I have a 4' 120 with a happy YT.

 

[Winwood]

With those dimensions, I don't think it really matters between the two tank sizes. You are basically limited to the ctenochaetus, small zebrasoma and small maybe small acanthurus species. Long term, I wouldn't keep a heptatus tang in that size tank. They don't really slow down growing that much and are very busy.

 

[sushi4u]

If a 120 gallon is what you want, i would definetly fo as long as possible like a 72x18x20. Alot of room plus anything smaller limits the size of the tang. Really just limits to 1 or 2 in that size of a tank anyways.