Kole Tang/System Requirements 1/14/08
Dear which lucky crew member is responding to e-mails at this time,
<It is lucky James, but not quite as lucky as Mr. Fenner who is on his way to HI.>
I recent added a Kole tang to my display (50 gal breeder). I <Another broken shift key> know that he will get to big for this set up eventually but I do plan on upgrading within the next year or two, or if he gets to big sooner. My question however is as follows: I have been doing a lot of reading on the Kole Tang and was wondering is it more important for the Kole to have more swimming room or grazing rock?
<Both, as the Kole Tang is one of the Bristletooth species, it favors munching on short growth off the rock, and the more rock the better. Not much good at controlling the longer hair algae as this gets caught in their bristles and therefore not favored by this fish.>
since my system is rather small at this time I'm not sure which would be better to have.
<Swimming room would head the list here.>
He is the only algae eating fish in my tank and he's got about 40 lbs of LR at the moment, do u <"u", how about you, and do cap all "I's". We do not enjoy or have the time to edit queries before posting. Please read here before sending future queries.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WWMAdminSubWebIndex/question_page.htm>
think this will suffice? or should I get another 20lbs and take up valuable tank space?
<I'd at least get 15 more pounds.>
In addition I had a flow/circulation question also to ask. Right now I have a closed loop in my tank which is powered by a Mag-18 (at less then a ft of head pressure) also a Tunze model 6025 which is pushing around 1100GPH. My question is there are spots on my sand bed where the sand is browning and changing colors, is this
good and supposed to be happening or is it a red flag that my aquascape could be assembled better due to the areas of low flow? I don't really mind the color I just want to make sure it won't cause spikes in the water chemistry. Could I just stir it every couple times a month to get rid of it? Your help is greatly appreciated.
<You do not mention use of a skimmer. Using such will go a long way in improving water quality. As for the sand, is best to vacuum when doing a water change and/or employ an invert such as a Sand Sifting Starfish to keep the sand churned up. As for water flow in your size tank...would be better to employ three or four small powerheads to insure all areas of the tank have good water flow. You may also want to try repositioning your powerhead(s) for optimal coverage.>
Thanks! :)
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>

Questions on a Kole Tang
Hi Bob,
I wrote you earlier about this and I am ready to get that tang. I have been looking at the various tang and am now narrowing in on a Kole. I saw one at a nearby LFS and found it more interesting in behavior than a Yellow Tang, but unfortunately I think it wasn't especially healthy.
However I read your FAQs and it looks like you have some reservations.
<To where? When? Let's go! Oh, yes, I see>
I am a relative newbie, with the forty gallon breeder going since December (though I think it cycled twice or even thrice??). It has 40 lbs of live rock and about 40 sand (half aragonite and half LPS). Water quality is good with ammonia, nitrites and nitrates at zero; ph 8.2; SG 1.024; Ca 405; Alk 3.5; Temp 79. I have 3 cleaner shrimp; 3 ? peppermint shrimp; 5 turbo snails and a Sally light foot and a number of hermits (?). I just lost a Midas blenny due to a daredevil trick of his when the tank top was off. :-(
<Very common...>
I plan to buy it at a LFS that quarantines it's marine fish two weeks. They do not routinely use copper (I think something else though like malachite green??). I think the quarantine tanks are lower SG. He doesn't overstock his regular tanks. He never uses nets to catch fish. In other words, I believe the possibility of getting a healthy fish is better.
<Very commendable>
Now for the questions: (I am going thru your FAQ).
1. Is my tank too small for one? You don't recommend small ones, and I wouldn't even know where to get one. Eventually I would want another Midas (and I'll keep the top on all the time!!) and a couple False Percs. I am thinking I may have to find another home when it gets to adulthood.
<Not too small by a smidgen... and the rest of these fishes ought to go "with a shoehorn...">
2. Is my tank "established" enough. I can't remember where I thought you wrote that... I read thru much of the Tang stuff.
<Yes, likely...>
3. Do I have enough circulation? I use the Ecosystems 40 and I recently put in a MaxiJet 1000 facing opposite of the outtake pump on the Ecosystems. It is really pumping the water around, in fact am seeing more debris, little white flecks, etc. I have another pump but was wondering as this seems to move so much water around. (I got a couple for $5 each, I know they are a discontinued pump. They seem in excellent condition). The Ecosystems has a Rio 600 in the sump.
<I understand, and yes>
4. Diet:
I was going to feed it brine shrimp that has added vit.s. Also I got a fish vitamin with added vitamins and iodine. This along with tank algae. I thought I would follow your advice on the feeding method. (Lacking the tank algae.)
5. Anything else I should look for?
<Hmm, not necessarily>
Thanks. Btw I look forward to reading everybody's comments and your answers. You have a very encouraging and helpful attitude. It seems like I have known you and a number of the writers for years. :-)
<Ahh, thank you for this...>
Btw I bought your book "A Fishwatcher's Guide to the Salt water Aquarium Fishes of the World" (book one). Very neat.
<My first effort at "doing all" self-publishing wise... harrowing>
--Jane
<Be chatting my friend. Bob Fenner>

Questions - Yellow-eye Tangs (5/15/2004)
We've recently started a 50 gallon saltwater aquarium and have a variety of marine life living quite happily-We just lost 2 yellow-eyed tangs, <Sorry to hear it. I assume you mean the tang Ctenochaetus strigosus. More than 1 in a 50 gallon aquarium would overcrowding them> the third is doing fine, we have a butterfly fish, <What species? Most butterfly fish have very specific diets and can be hard to feed in captivity> a crab, a starfish, a cleaner shrimp and a bunch of snails and little hermits. 
We have a never-ending battle with red, stringy algae growing all over everything. <Most likely Cyanobacteria, technically not an algae> The ammonia, nitrite, and ph are all good (according to our supplier and to our own tests) but we don't know what happened with the tangs or why we have the algae. <What are your nitrates\phosphates? What do you mean by an "Ok" reading? Numbers would be helpful :) Cyanobacteria is often caused by excessive dissolved organics, nitrates, and phosphates. Try doing weekly or bi-weekly partial water changes with a water source that is known to be free of phosphates and nitrates. Use a chemical media such as Seachem's SeaGel or Poly-Bio-Marine's PolyFilter to remove any excess DOCs, as well as phosphates and nitrates. Do you have a protein skimmer? If not, I highly recommend you obtain one. Definitely do a search of our FAQs regarding Cyanobacteria removal)
If you have any recommendations, we'd love to hear them. <I wouldn't add any more fish to your aquarium, as your tang will reach 6-8 inches by itself. M. Maddox>