Minimum tank size rating but what about water quality?

[jackson6745]

I see so many posts where people are flamed from putting a tang, angel, or any other fish with a large tank rating in a smaller sized tank. If someone says they have a larger tank then is it automatically ok to have the same larger rating fish??? What about water quality?
Personally, I would rather have a shoal tang in a 90 gallon tank with pristine water quality than having a shoal tang in a 300gal with 80ppm nitrates. IMO the poor water quality will be more detrimental to the fishes health than the lack of swimming space.
(of course a big tank with high water quality would be best)

I'm not saying I am right and I'm not trying to argue, I would just like to hear some thoughts.

 

[jhale]

I think you need both tank size and water quality.
Also the correct healthy diet. Don't feed your fish flake food,
they need a variety of fresh, or frozen foods to keep them healthy.

 

[Domboski]

I see where you are going and I agree. It is much bigger than just the tank size. Consideration for the fish's environmental needs are important. For example, you don't put sand burrowing wrasses or garden eels in a bare bottom tank and expect to be successful with them. Without sand they will be stressed and ultimately will die. Understanding the natural habitat of any fish and trying to emulate it as much as possible in your tank sets you up for success much more than just considering tank size and water conditions. I wrote about this in an article for Reefs Magazine. In hindsight, I wish I would have went into more details. The article focused on difficult species but in reality it applies to most fish.

Good Topic Rich!

 

[Deanos]

Some fish require larger tanks because of their swimming style. Regardless how pristine the water is, the fish may become stressed. A 500g tank stuffed with live rock and little "swimming room" is not good either.

 

[NYreefNoob]

i personally think size matters in the long run as the fish gets bigger, ive broken the rule several times. but i do maintain excellent water quality, and you can tell when the fish feel crowded, ive had a a few different tangs in my 24x24x24 tank before, small one's and would get rid of once to big. i usually keep around 7-9 in that tank, proper equiptment and maintainence playsa big part as well as rock structure's. i do not advise for people to get a large angel or tang though with a tank less then 4'. half the tanks ive seen that are big enough arent big enough with all the rock they stuff in there and i end up with more swimming room in my smaller tank then they have in alot bigger tank

 

[reefman]

i think when people made that statement, it is with the assumption that water quality is pristine. i.e. if the tank is a 20 gal, there is no circumstance it is acceptable to put 3 adult size tangs no matter how good the water is.
of course, it should be common sense that the size of a tank is not the only factor in keeping tangs successfully.

 

[Alex]

good water quality and husbandry above all should be the main concern. although some consideration should be given to tank size,I would venture to say that water quality is a must. Although we all would like to have the largest tank we can get, that is not always possible. I understand those that say that a fish must be able to swim in order to maintain health but if that were the case how do we keep sharks,belugas,rays, manta rays, whale sharks etc.... in such confined places, just a thought.

 

[fernandokng]

No matter what we do, we will never be able to recreate living conditions that mirror that of the wild. We can try to create the best habitat we *think* is appropriate, but we will never know because we're not fish. For all we know, they are probably cursing us out for putting them in a what we *think* is a big 500 gallon tank.

Now, obviously, we're going to keep enjoying this hobby regardless of what the fish (or our wives/gfs) think, so we need to be responsible and atleast try to understand what is feasible, though what may be feasible may not necessarily be right.

I think at the end of the day, everyone has/had/will make a mistake by putting a fish in a too small of a tank, or letting their parameters go all out of wack. Yes, I'm guilty of putting a tang in a 29g. I'm also guilty of letting my Nitrates ride to 100ppm. Which is worst? God knows, I'm not a fish, but I bet it sucks.

But all these blunders happened not because I wanted to though, but rather because I didn't know better.

Experience is, and always will be our best friend and teacher.

In conclusion, I think that's an impossible question to answer :tongue1:, unless we're Aquaman. :splitspin

 

[Alex]

No matter what we do, we will never be able to recreate living conditions that mirror that of the wild. We can try to create the best habitat we *think* is appropriate, but we will never know because we're not fish. For all we know, they are probably cursing is out for putting them in a what we *think* is a big 500 gallon tank.

Now, obviously, we're going to keep enjoying this hobby regardless of what the fish (or our wives/gfs) think, so we need to be responsible and atleast try to understand what is feasible, though what may be feasible may not necessarily be right.

I think at the end of the day, everyone has/had/will make a mistake by putting a fish in a too small of a tank, or letting their parameters go all out of wack. Yes, I'm guilty of putting a tank in a 29g. I'm also guilty of letting my Nitrates ride to 100ppm. Which is worst? God knows, I'm not a fish, but I bet it sucks.

But all these blunders happened not because I wanted to though, but rather because I didn't know better.

Experience is, and always will be our best friend and teacher.

In conclusion, I think that's an impossible question to answer :tongue1:, unless we're Aquaman. :splitspin

I'm not arguing with the wife,she buys me stuff. LOL