When to add purple tang to new aquarium

[Rams & Clowns]

I have a new 130 gallon reef tank that was started three weeks ago. It’s been cycled for two weeks. All of the parameters are perfect, but I do have a bit of diatom “algae”on the rocks and sand.

I added a blue jaw trigger a week ago… he’s doing great, and a pair of juvenile da Vinci clown fish a few days ago who are also very happy. Everybody’s eating, take parameters seem stable, and I’m wondering if I can add the juvenile Biota purple tang that I found at my LFS. any advice?

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Are you planning on adding any other tangs into the mix?

Purples In my experience have been some of the worst offending tank neighbors.

IF I were to ever add one back into a tank, It would likely go in as the last and smallest of the larger bodies to be introduced.

Another thing to consider is whether your cycle tank is actually mature enough yet. One trigger One Tang and two clowns is not huge biode, But it's also not nothing.

 

[Rams & Clowns]

Are you planning on adding any other tangs into the mix?

Purples In my experience have been some of the worst offending tank neighbors.

IF I were to ever add one back into a tank, It would likely go in as the last and smallest of the larger bodies to be introduced.

Another thing to consider is whether your cycle tank is actually mature enough yet. One trigger One Tang and two clowns is not huge biode, But it's also not nothing.

thanks. No, it’s going to be mostly an LPS tank with an anemone. The clowns, one Blue Jaw and one purple tang are it for now. maybe down the road I’ll add a mandarin goby or two. Maybe a six line wrasse. But that’s it for sure. what you said about the cycle being mature enough is my big concern. The Biota tang is hard to find. So if it’s safe to put him in I definitely would like to get it. But if it’s not safe, better safe than sorry.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

thanks. No, it’s going to be mostly an LPS tank with an anemone. The clowns, one Blue Jaw and one purple tang are it for now. maybe down the road I’ll add a mandarin goby or two. Maybe a six line wrasse. But that’s it for sure. what you said about the cycle being mature enough is my big concern. The Biota tang is hard to find. So if it’s safe to put him in I definitely would like to get it. But if it’s not safe, better safe than sorry.

Tbh I don't think there's a problem adding in at this point. I would not have advised dropping the trigger, clowns and pt in together but as you've staggered it, and are monitoring parameters. I'd say go for it.

Ammonia alert badges go in all of my new setups right in the line of sight . Nice small visual reminder to make sure everyone is ok.

All that being said, I know it's from biota but is now in the system at your LFS. Are you quarantining new arrivals?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Besides the clowns and the trigger what other fish are u planning to add? I’d hold off for now and make the PT the last of the lot. They have been known to b bullish to new tank mates after they become established zebrasoma in general. Also six line wrasse can b terrors as well. Good luck.

 

[Rams & Clowns]

thanks. No, it’s going to be mostly an LPS tank with an anemone. The clowns, one Blue Jaw and one purple tang are it for now. maybe down the road I’ll add a mandarin goby or two. Maybe a six line wrasse. But that’s it for sure. what you said about the cycle being mature enough is my big concern. The Biota tang is hard to find. So if it’s safe to put him in I definitely would like to get it. But if it’s not safe, better safe than sorry.

What do you think?

 

[Rams & Clowns]

Tbh I don't think there's a problem adding in at this point. I would not have advised dropping the trigger, clowns and pt in together but as you've staggered it, and are monitoring parameters. I'd say go for it.

Ammonia alert badges go in all of my new setups right in the line of sight . Nice small visual reminder to make sure everyone is ok.

All that being said, I know it's from biota but is now in the system at your LFS. Are you quarantining new arrivals?

OK thanks. I’ve never heard of an ammonia alert badge. I’ll look for some. And no, I don’t quarantine. I put them in and pray ;-)

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

OK thanks. I’ve never heard of an ammonia alert badge. I’ll look for some. And no, I don’t quarantine. I put them in and pray ;-)

I don't know many people for whom praying has been an effective long term strategy for a healthy reef, but good luck.

FTR I did the same thing. Until velvet wiped me out. Qt is actually the Lazy way out. Full tear apart, fallowing a tank and medicating all (surviving) residents is WAY more work later on.

 

[Rams & Clowns]

Besides the clowns and the trigger what other fish are u planning to add? I’d hold off for now and make the PT the last of the lot. They have been known to b bullish to new tank mates after they become established zebrasoma in general. Also six line wrasse can b terrors as well. Good luck.

interesting about the six line. I thought they were super peaceful. I definitely don’t want any terrors! so to answer your question, apart from a mandarin goby a year+ from now, this is it for the fish. going to start adding zoanthids and some lps once the nitrates start to come up. And after that, it’s all coral.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I used to do that but it caught up w me 20years later and I lost some very close and valuable fish to velvet because of it. If u don’t QT buy from some one that does and specializes in it like TSM or Marine Collectors.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have No faith in alert badges as I have none in API which offer false readings and badges are also for freshwater use which diminishes confidence. Having Many tangs, Make purple one of the Last tangs you place in tank as they are temperamental and fiesty Make it first and not many tangs will get a nice welcoming.
Assure tank is also stable, meaning not cycle stable but stable in general as spikes and chemistry changes will cause stress to this type of fish.

All these tangs below were placed in tank BEFORE the purple for a reason.

 

[vetteguy53081]

interesting about the six line. I thought they were super peaceful. I definitely don’t want any terrors! so to answer your question, apart from a mandarin goby a year+ from now, this is it for the fish. going to start adding zoanthids and some lps once the nitrates start to come up. And after that, it’s all coral.

Regarding 6 line, each individual one will have their own personality. Mine is the most peaceful and "Big Chicken" in the tank, , , always a fraidy cat but does not miss a meal

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

OP has reiterated the stock list. No more tangs are coming in. No other large bodied fish are coming in for at least a year.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Research the stock list. Qt the stock and b patient. Pays off big time in long run. This hobby is a marathon not a sprint. Trust me I had to tear my reef down take out fish I could save and put it back together set up a hospital tank on the fly and it was on the weekend. and then go through a fallow period.

Talk about stress. Good luck. This is what the tank looks like now.

 

[Rams & Clowns]

I used to do that but it caught up w me 20years later and I lost some very close and valuable fish to velvet because of it. If u don’t QT buy from some one that does and specializes in it like TSM or Marine Collectors.

OK thanks. That sounds like great advice. I had a couple big reef thanks 15 years ago and I’m just getting back into it. I never have quarantined. The owner of Aquarium Artisans in Cincinnati, Jennifer Embry, gave me a very long explanation once, which I didn’t understand, regarding how incredibly complicated a proper quarantine is. She said what most people consider to be a quarantine is not useful. Honestly, I let it go with that. I appreciate the referrals of fish dealers who do quarantine though. i’ll check them out. Thanks again!

 

[Rams & Clowns]

Research the stock list. Qt the stock and b patient. Pays off big time in long run. This hobby is a marathon not a sprint. Trust me I had to tear my reef down take out fish I could save and put it back together set up a hospital tank on the fly and it was on the weekend. and then go through a fallow period.

Talk about stress. Good luck. This is what the tank looks like now.

yikes. thanks

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a new 130 gallon reef tank that was started three weeks ago. It’s been cycled for two weeks. All of the parameters are perfect, but I do have a bit of diatom “algae”on the rocks and sand.

I added a blue jaw trigger a week ago… he’s doing great, and a pair of juvenile da Vinci clown fish a few days ago who are also very happy. Everybody’s eating, take parameters seem stable, and I’m wondering if I can add the juvenile Biota purple tang that I found at my LFS. any advice?

What test kits are you using ?

 

[Rams & Clowns]

I have No faith in alert badges as I have none in API which offer false readings and badges are also for freshwater use which diminishes confidence. Having Many tangs, Make purple one of the Last tangs you place in tank as they are temperamental and fiesty Make it first and not many tangs will get a nice welcoming.
Assure tank is also stable, meaning not cycle stable but stable in general as spikes and chemistry changes will cause stress to this type of fish.

All these tangs below were placed in tank BEFORE the purple for a reason.

Wow that’s beautiful. Thanks for the advice

 

[Rams & Clowns]

What test kits are

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

OK thanks. That sounds like great advice. I had a couple big reef thanks 15 years ago and I’m just getting back into it. I never have quarantined. The owner of Aquarium Artisans in Cincinnati, Jennifer Embry, gave me a very long explanation once, which I didn’t understand, regarding how incredibly complicated a proper quarantine is. She said what most people consider to be a quarantine is not useful. Honestly, I let it go with that. I appreciate the referrals of fish dealers who do quarantine though. i’ll check them out. Thanks again!

Your LFS essentially told you hobby level quarantining is useless?

That's Pretty much an asinine blanket statement and harmful imo.

The protocol is Easy.

Dealing with Not quarantining is much harder