Tank maturity for tangs and angels

How mature of a tank do these guys need?? I know they like to eat off the rock, but would feeding the correct diet help? How long should a tank be running before the rock can support enough algea? I know this sounds like a really basic question, but ive never had angels or tangs, so I dont want to hurt them by not having the tank up to par.

Michael

 

Hi Michael,

Tangs are like any other fish. All they require is stable water with no toxins. Yes, you are correct they do munch on algae of rocks and glass, but most people (like me) suppliment their diet with seaweed. Once your tank goes through the nitrogen cycle you should be good to go. That said, if you add a bunch of live rock afterwards, you will throw your tank balance way off. You probably want to wait until after you have added your live rock. I'd also suggest adding a little live sand if you have not done so already. Eithwr way you are looking at a few weeks at the least.

 

thanks, that is what I was thinking, but I dont like going into a buying mode without know what to do. I have 40lbs of live sand, and like 5 lbs of sand from the lfs. Im gonna let the tank run for a few more weeks to a month before I add a fish or two, I just wanted to start reading up, lol.

Michael

 

Both are grazers and it is better for them to have liverock with flora and fauna for them to pick on, however it isn't necessary for their captive success in your aquarium. A feeding of both a protein meaty fare complimented with seaweed or spirulina will go far interms of offering them a variety of food beneficial to the health of your fish and should eliminate the lateral line disease etc.

 

I agree with coral reefer. The tangs like to graze...which is a great benefit. But they need to be supplemented with Seaweed and with the occasional protein rich meal. I feed my tang Seaweed Selects dried seaweed using a clip. I also feed it frozen Emerald Delight - which has some seaweed/macro algae, brine shrimp, and a few other things in it. He seems to be doing really well.

 

Thanks guys, Im gonna wait a month or so till I start adding those guys anyway. Right now the tank has been running for almost 2 weeks, so it still has along way to go. Plus Im still trying to figure out the right size sump.....

 

Both, especially Tangs, are sensitive to NO2 and NO3. Once stable you should be good to go. I had 3 Yellow Tangs in my 300 1 week after set up. The LR was well cured in tubs for 2 weeks before being introduced and I never had a spike so every tank is different. Note, I wouldn't advise being that aggressive. I only did it as a local chain had them on sale at $13 and I thought with stable readings the gamble was worth it. They never stressed and are still happy. Normally I'd wait a couple months, especially with the price of Angels and most Tangs.

 

well from what i have learned from my angel is that you should have some sort of sponge growth for them to be completely happy. at least for my tastes that is.