Choosing the right tank.

[Betta-Chetta]

So I've been debating what size tank is really want and I can not make up my mind. I've been contemplating on what I want in it and I know for sure I want alot of invertebrates, mostly softies and LPS corals. Some SPS but not alot maybe a bird nest and Monti. But as far as tank size I'm lost. I love the idea of a 93 gallon cube but I want tangs. Maybe 2 or three tangs so I know it's not really ideal for them to be in the cube. I want to make sure I make the right choice. So I would like to know what yall think and personally think as far as tank wise. I also love schooling fish. Never had luck with green chromis since mine killed each other off. So if there are ideas as far as fish please let me know. Thanks everyone!!

 

[Joeganja]

Tank size for 2-3 tangs i recommend the biggest tank you can get. It's gonna cost you more with lighting and filteration but tangs love to swim and one tang alone needs at least a 50 gallon. I recommend a 120-150 gallon so at least they will have space to swim and find their own territory. The bigger the tank the less parameter swings or fluctuations but the more work and money. If you want coral and chromis your going to have to stay away from fish like puffers, most triggers, butterfly fish, large angels, and anything else that can eat coral and or become aggresive and grow big. Let's say you get a 120 gallon. 3 tangs um a purple, a kole, and a ummmm chevron. Avoid any naso, unicorn tangs because they grow big, and avoid powder brown, powder blue because they can get diseases very easily. as far as other fish about 3-5 chromis if all bought at once will school together, some clownfish, maybe some anthias, a couple of wrasses, a blenny, dottyback, goby, a pair of cleaner shrimps, and a couple of more fish and you should be fine. As long as you get a skimmer rated for at least 150 gallons you should be good.

 

[Betta-Chetta]

Tank size for 2-3 tangs i recommend the biggest tank you can get. It's gonna cost you more with lighting and filteration but tangs love to swim and one tang alone needs at least a 50 gallon. I recommend a 120-150 gallon so at least they will have space to swim and find their own territory. The bigger the tank the less parameter swings or fluctuations but the more work and money. If you want coral and chromis your going to have to stay away from fish like puffers, most triggers, butterfly fish, large angels, and anything else that can eat coral and or become aggresive and grow big. Let's say you get a 120 gallon. 3 tangs um a purple, a kole, and a ummmm chevron. Avoid any naso, unicorn tangs because they grow big, and avoid powder brown, powder blue because they can get diseases very easily. as far as other fish about 3-5 chromis if all bought at once will school together, some clownfish, maybe some anthias, a couple of wrasses, a blenny, dottyback, goby, a pair of cleaner shrimps, and a couple of more fish and you should be fine. As long as you get a skimmer rated for at least 150 gallons you should be good.

Thanks for the input. I've tried the chromis before with a school of about 7 and they killed each other off and that was in a 75 gallon. I love chromis just don't understand why mine kill each other. Also I have a 14 gallon biocube that I'll put the clowns in. I don't want my clowns in the main display due to them killing 6 cleaner shrimps, 4 peppermint shrimps and 1 gold coral banded shrimp. As far as tangs I have no clue what I would want to go with. I really like yellow tangs I know they can be very aggressive so is there away I could get them not to be as aggressive. Maybe like they do with clowns get all different sizes where at least one is bigger than the other two?

 

[Joeganja]

Thanks for the input. I've tried the chromis before with a school of about 7 and they killed each other off and that was in a 75 gallon. I love chromis just don't understand why mine kill each other. Also I have a 14 gallon biocube that I'll put the clowns in. I don't want my clowns in the main display due to them killing 6 cleaner shrimps, 4 peppermint shrimps and 1 gold coral banded shrimp. As far as tangs I have no clue what I would want to go with. I really like yellow tangs I know they can be very aggressive so is there away I could get them not to be as aggressive. Maybe like they do with clowns get all different sizes where at least one is bigger than the other two?

The zebrasoma species: yellow tangs, purple tangs, sailfin tangs, desjardini tangs, black, scopas, and gem tangs all have the same body shape. Any of those should be all added at the same time and be the last large or medium size fish you add in the tank.
The acantharus or paracantharus species like the hippo tang, clown tang, Achilles, powder brown, powder blue all have to be added before the zebrasoma species
The species of tomini and bristletooth and kole tangs are the least territorial and are most peaceful. They should be added first of the tang species.
Clownfish if you have a couple or three the bigger one is the female. They change sexes. My female clownfish nips and bites me because its territorial.

 

[Betta-Chetta]

The zebrasoma species: yellow tangs, purple tangs, sailfin tangs, desjardini tangs, black, scopas, and gem tangs all have the same body shape. Any of those should be all added at the same time and be the last large or medium size fish you add in the tank.
The acantharus or paracantharus species like the hippo tang, clown tang, Achilles, powder brown, powder blue all have to be added before the zebrasoma species
The species of tomini and bristletooth and kole tangs are the least territorial and are most peaceful. They should be added first of the tang species.
Clownfish if you have a couple or three the bigger one is the female. They change sexes. My female clownfish nips and bites me because its territorial.

Ya the female clown I had was the one that killed all the shrimp in the tank. I think they did that due to them trying to lay eggs. Also I'm not saying I disagree as far as the kole tang. I first added a clown tang and then the kole tang and they were great and then I added a blue hippo and I figured the clown tang would go after him but the kole was the most territorial and killed the blue hippo. My clown tang though would always swim into my hand and let me pet him.

Now I do have a 120 gallon that is 60"×18"×26" but it's not drilled and I can not get a over flow due to the stand so all I have are 2 hang on emperor 400s. What would you suggest I should do with filtration? Right now it's set up as fresh just to have it filled right now.

 

[Joeganja]

Ya the female clown I had was the one that killed all the shrimp in the tank. I think they did that due to them trying to lay eggs. Also I'm not saying I disagree as far as the kole tang. I first added a clown tang and then the kole tang and they were great and then I added a blue hippo and I figured the clown tang would go after him but the kole was the most territorial and killed the blue hippo. My clown tang though would always swim into my hand and let me pet him.

Now I do have a 120 gallon that is 60"×18"×26" but it's not drilled and I can not get a over flow due to the stand so all I have are 2 hang on emperor 400s. What would you suggest I should do with filtration? Right now it's set up as fresh just to have it filled right now.

Your gonna have to have a skimmer and those filters won't be enough for 3 tangs. A lot of poop lol. I really recommended getting an overflow box or do your best to get the highest quality hang on the back skimmer.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Just like boats, houses, and most everything else, at some point you will wish you had a bigger one. Pick the biggest one you can afford and then save more money for the next size up.

 

[Betta-Chetta]

Just like boats, houses, and most everything else, at some point you will wish you had a bigger one. Pick the biggest one you can afford and then save more money for the next size up.

Ya I hear you on that. Started at a 5.5 and then went up to a 10, 29, 55, 75, and 120 none drilled at all. That's why I'm trying to figure out what I will be happy with. I mean don't get me wrong I loved my tanks I just wasn't happy as far as the outcome of the tank due to it not being big enough and not having what I wanted in it