View Full Version : Vlamingi tang
SCreef
05/13/2009, 12:10 PM
I am buying a 200g 8' long tank and it has an 8" vlamingi tang and a 6" naso tang in it. The problem is that I have to send the acrylic tank out to get professionally polished (extremely scratched) with a two week turn around. In order to do so, I would have to put the two fish into my 3' long 50 gallon temporarily (no other fish currently in it). Would they be ok, mainly the vlamingi for the 2 week duration without any type of casualties or harm? I would love to drop them off to someone with a bigger tank temporary but no one has a tank bigger than mine and the LFS would not take them. Also, would it help if I didn't put any live rock into the 50g so they have more room or just a lil bit so they have a place to hide? Any help or thoughts would greatly be appreciated! Thank you.
anbosu
05/13/2009, 12:27 PM
I would definitely give them some places to hide, hopefully that will diminish aggression in the smaller space. You should be ok but I would have a backup plan in case the fish are too aggressive over that short time frame.
yukonblizzard
05/13/2009, 02:14 PM
Well, 50 gallons for two rather large and active fish would probably be pushing it. Is it possible to get a larger tank, like maybe a 90. You can look on Ebay or a similar site to find some tanks for cheap. Also the longer the tank the better for these fish.
Hogfish77
05/13/2009, 03:35 PM
Or you could be hardcore and fill up your bath tub full of saltwater j/k. :p I think they should survive in the 50. Fish sold at the LFS survives in smaller tanks.
saltyguy51
05/13/2009, 03:49 PM
you might pick up a stock tank at a Menards or Home Depot or even on Craigslist out by you as that would give them some more room. If you only have a 50 now and then you get your new tank back from being polished and then you set up up your new 200, wont you be cycling it? And then that will take some time like 6-8 weeks
rwhitmore1987
05/13/2009, 05:39 PM
I try to get another used 50-75 tank or you could try the largest plastic containers that you can find to keep these fish separate to reduce aggression. Also, drop your SG to 1.012PPM to reduce ich outbreaks. I'm really sorry to hear that your LFS is to anal to hold your fish for you, even if you paid them. If there is another, better LFS in your town, go to that one and let the original fail, since they refuse to help their loyal customers!
SCreef
05/13/2009, 05:42 PM
Thanks for the help guys...your input is appreciated. The 200 gallon is an existing running tank that I'm buying, so I am keeping all of the existing live rock, live sand, and existing water while the tank is out for polishing. Once back, I will put everything back in the 200 gallon and prevent as much of a cycle as possible.
Thanks Hogfish, I'll keep the bathtub in mind! lol. The only benefit with placing the fish in the 50 gallon is that I have a filtration system in place with sump and protein skimmer. I wouldn't know what to do if I were get a larger stock tank in regards to filtration for 2 weeks. I sure wish my 50g was longer though!
SCreef
05/13/2009, 05:45 PM
Thanks rwhitmore for the advice on the SG!
BlastoEric1589
05/13/2009, 07:10 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15005206#post15005206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hogfish77
Or you could be hardcore and fill up your bath tub full of saltwater j/k. :p I think they should survive in the 50. Fish sold at the LFS survives in smaller tanks.
+1 bathtub joke. lol
fish live longer than that at the LFS in a 20G (if theyre lucky)
RoastReef
05/14/2009, 02:45 PM
Two relatively big tangs in a 50 gallon could be pushing it as behavior and aggression goes (and tangs are poo machines, could dirty up the fifty). I'd try to borrow or buy another cheap tank and keep them seperate if possible. I can't believe your LFS isn't willing to help you out, I'd find a new one if you can. Good luck with the new set-up.
anbosu
05/14/2009, 03:45 PM
If this was for longer than two weeks I wouldn't even consider it, but since it is a short period of time if you notice aggression issues you can always put an acrylic divider in the tank to keep them from killing eachother until you get your tank back and set up.
jrobison
05/15/2009, 07:02 AM
I have used a plastic kids swimming pool from walmart before. THe fish have plent of room to swim and they are very cheap
Carant
05/15/2009, 11:21 AM
SCreef,
In the 50 you will have to do frequent water changes ... so dropping the salinity is a great $$$ saver.
Also get some 3" or 4" pvc sewer pipes (using the Y joins are likely your best option. This will give your fish a place to hide and feel more secure.
Also they are easy to move to siphon off all the detritus ... as mentioned these guys are poop machines.
I would not do a big waterchange ... however every day siphon and replace the water. Having the lower salinity will also allow you to not worry about top up water all the time either ... note that the salinity will gradually increase .. however that is a good thing as you will be putting them back into full salinity eventually ... you can go down fast ... however, slow back up.
I would keep the lights off as much as possible .. dimmer for sure. And would drop the temperature to 74 degrees. This will keep them quieter .. and increase O2 levels. Your protein skimmer is really for O2 levels ... water changes are the key to water quality for keeping the fish as stress free as possible. No inverts with the lower salinity.
Good Luck.
Bruce
PS If I were in your shoes I would sooner look after them myself instead of a LFS unless they had a completely separate system for this purpose .. .would not want to risk exposure to new imports and disease.
Getting a tub/kiddie pool ??? would be a good idea if you can swing it. I would still do everything else the same. I am using a 300gal livestock tank while I build my new system and this will be setup and running for 6 months by the time I will be ready.
SCreef
05/15/2009, 02:59 PM
wow, thank you all for your comments and insight. Carant, I will definitely heed your words and make this move the least stressful for these fish as possible.
Carant
05/15/2009, 07:40 PM
SCreef,
Whatever you do or advice you decide to take ... think it through and make sure it makes sense to yourself and your situation.
Don't do anything blindly ... there are reasons that make two contradictory solutions perfectly acceptable.
A fifty gallon for the two weeks will not be too bad ... just note the estimation time is likely going to easily double as it always takes longer to do things than the best of guesses ;)
Good luck, these two tangs will make great center pieces in your new tank.
Bruce
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