How big of a tank do I need?

[Gripenfelter]

So my new tank will take a bit longer to build and one of my friends is shutting down his tank. I'm grabbing his 2 yr old powder brown and lavender tang. How big of a tank would I need to house these guys for 6-8 weeks? I saw a 4 ft 55 gallon quarantine tank at a local shop on sale. Do I have to go this big?

[MarkoD]

Depending on how big the fish are. Usually at least 75 gallons for a tang. But preferably a 6 footer

[Gripenfelter]

New tank I'm building will be a 6-7 footer.

But I need to house these guys for the time being for up to 2 months.

Lavender is 8-10" and won't grow any bigger.

Powder brown is about 8" and might get slightly bigger.

That's it.

[parkinsn]

Minimum 6' 180g 8'+ would be better. Also depends on what else will be in the tank with them.

[Gripenfelter]

Minimum 6' 180g 8'+ would be better. Also depends on what else will be in the tank with them.

Nothing. Rock and a filter. Think of it as a quarantine tank until the big one is built.

[MarkoD]

Fish that big will most likely get stressed out in a tank that small.

[gobytron]

There have been studies done, and referenced on this site as well as reef central that this is something of a myth and that these fish will be just as stressed out in your 6 footer as in anything viable for the average hobbyist.

I'm contrarian.
i think that 55 will be more than fine, especially for just 2 months.

If it were me, Id be more worried about aggression between the two than anything and might just keep them in seperate, smaller tanks (maybe 20-30 gallons like you'd find these fish in at ANY LFS) until your big tank is ready.

[fishytime]

I would re-home them, if it were me......you have enough tangs going in your new tank as it is.....assuming all 21 fish from the 120 are going in the new tank:wink:.....

[gobytron]

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=71528&highlight=tang+police

Here's the original thread I was talking about...
good, if played out debate.