toms,
My derasa grew quite a bit for the first six months, then after that, for almost a year, it didnt grow at all. Within 30 days of instaling HQI lighting, it showed about 1/8" of new growth, and now constantly exhibits at least 1/8-1/4" of white new growth.
By the way, I lived in naugatuck for 15 years.
Canadawest,
Your maxima is getting 80% of it nourishment which is supporting that growth from the water, not from the light. That will change once it reaches 3 or 4 inches.
One problem with mature clams is their inability to photo adapt, or adjust to different lighting conditions. A T. Max which has been kept in less than optimal lighting conditions as a small clam, can die within a few day of it's lighting being increased, or decreased when it matures. This is because it loses it's ability to adapt. Knops research showed that baby clams grew and looked about the same, wether under MH or not and it wasnt till they were mature that it mattered.
You are correct that the color of the clams will darken (the increase of zooxanthellae) under low light. They will also not grow as fast, if at all once they get to be about 4". How long they will last under those conditions is unknown to me. Mine definately loooked like it was dying which was one reason for my lighting change ($700 worth of light to save a $30 clam
.
However your assertion that a T. Max can be kept under PC's or VHO is incorrect. T. Maximas require MH lighting. T.Derasa and squamosa are the clams with the lesser lighting requirements although they definately do best under MH.
[ 09-18-2001: Message edited by: bill-e ]
