New 75gal Reef Tank Step-By-Step Setup DIY

[PowerManJ316]

I did a little more research and figured out what "saponification" is. Basically, caustic bases (Like CaOH - Kalk) will react with lipids (fats, etc) and break them down to foam. This is not 100% correct, but is essentially what is happening. THus, any fats, etc, that tend to collapse foam in the skimmer, get broken down and thus skimmer performance is enhanced.

I am going to skim 24/7 now, knowing this. Thanks for the input Nyles.

Anyone else have other opinons, I would love to hear them.

[Nyles]

I would post this up as its own thread and see who chimes in, sounds interesting

[PowerManJ316]

Aight, I think this is a good topic. It certainly makes you think about EXACTLY what is happening when dosing. Prolly will turn into a "How to properly dose Kalk" thread. Haha.

[Nyles]

I have a kalk dosing video... :P

[PowerManJ316]

Alright...the LFS sold me this clam as a Green Derasa, however, I tend to think it is a Green Maxima. It definitely has several scutes, it has tentacles on its inlet syphone and the mantle is ribbed like a maxima. The only thing i question is, it seems to open much wider than most maximas i've seen. Let me know what you think.
Jeff

[Geoff]

it is definately either a maxima or a squammie. how large is the bysal opening on the bottom?

it does seem to be gaping a bit, but the mantle extension looks good, so not to worried about it. you might want to check it for pyramid snails just in case.

G~

[PowerManJ316]

Geoff,
I have noticed that the clams tend to gape after i feed the fish. I am not sure if this is coincidence or not. I am getting that new uber book about clams soon, but I have no idea what pyramid snails look like. I did not see anything attached to the bysal "foot" or around the top of the mantle when I got it. Are the snails pretty easy to spot?

[Nyles]

It looks like a maxima to me, but I am way better at identifing by shell pic.

[Geoff]

no, pyramid snails are very difficult to spot for the first time. after you have seen one, than they are easy. a lot like seeing your first pod.

look for super tiny white Cerith snails around the clam. mainly under scutes or under the clam itself.

G~