Ed, I'm going to be attempting the legendary Achilles as well, sometime in the near future I hope. I'm planning on a 55 gallon QT. Keep that water rich with oxygen from what I've hear. And expect a long hypo treatment because it *will* come with ich! I'm collecting more details before making the plunge if you want to chat offline; be sure to drop me a note and let me know how it's going. Would be good to learn from eachother in regards to this fish.
I'm a little unsure of what order to add him with regards to the other fish, as I'd like to put a purple tang in as well (will have a hippo, purple, and Achilles).
I'd like to have one in a QT tank by Christmas (I keep hinting thats what I want... have to see if I actually get to have it
). I already knew it would be at least 6 weeks in the QT... thats why I'm seriously thinking about a 55 as well.
They say you should only do 1 Zebrasoma or 1 Acanthurus type Tang in a tank at a time, unless you have a very large tank. However, my Yellow & Sailfin are best buds... always hangin together, almost inseperatable!
Part of this is possiblly due to my having them now for about 3 years... starting in my 75, and now this 180.
I would think the 3 Tangs you're interested in Brian should be an easy mixing, since there shouldn't be a ton of aggression between them. Expecially if they are about the same size... I would think that would help them get along better as well.
As for which order to add them to your tank... personally, I would think the Achilles should be last. My reasoning is because this fish will probably grow the fastest, and if its added earlier, it may outgrow what you would find in the other Tangs. I know "Size Matters" when it comes to our Reef's... and a dominate large fish is harder to get along with than a dominate small fish.
We'll have to get together and chat some time about this though. Who knows... if we are both ready at the same time, may be able to get a better sampling of Tangs in to choose from??? Will chat later guy!
