Clam in a 10g

[darthteddy]

I am speculating making a clam and SPS tank out of one or two of the many AGA 10gs i have laying around. I know nothing aobut clams so i am looking for any guidence i can get. I dont know which kind i would like. I am going to have a 175w 10,000k MH and possibly some small actinics. Is this over kill for clams. And what type of additives do i need to have. Also what fish are safe for clams. And the last question is what kind of filtration do i need to have. It seems from my reading that they do alot of filtration themselves. Help would be appritiated.

[milhouse74]

I would do a 70 WATT halide not a 175 on a 10. It will be much better on evap, and I would be concearned with evap having a clam.

[darthteddy]

Pardon my ignorance but are clams more sensitive to temp changes or rapid salinity change as would happen in a water change?

[concept3]

Clams need rather stable water parameters. They are more susceptible to swings in salinity, rather than the average 1 degree temperature variation. That's why water changes in a small tank need to be as close as possible when it comes to salinity, water temp and pH. Don't forget Calcium supplementation as well, whether it be Kalkwasser topoff or a 2 part additive.

In the 10 gallon, you would most likely evaporate more water with a 175 watt halide, but I personally would not place a clam in anything UNDER 175 watts, expecially with Croceas or maximas. These are the most light demanding clams, and live up in rock crevices. Just like SPS, acclimate them slowly to the light by either:

1.) placing some screen between the light and the top of the tank, removing one at a time every couple of days or

2.) moving the light fixture a little lower every other day to your desired final height

3.) starting with 2-3 hours, slowly work your way up to a full photoperiod about a half hour every couple of days

4.) Stagger your photoperiod 2 hours on, 2 hours off; then 2.5 hours on, 1.5 hours off etc. etc. every couple of days



Now if you plan on keeping deresas, squamosas or gigas (keep in mind, these get BIG QUICK!), you can get away by using lower light halides or even T5's/VHO'S PC's, but you'd better find a bigger home in 6 months, these guys are calcium hogs and grow pretty fast!

Here are a few clams to whet your appettite

[milhouse74]

Would not place a clam in under 175 WATTs of light is just silly. Were talking about a 10 gallon tank here. Were talking a 10 inch high tank. With a 70 Watt MH were talking 7 Watts of halide per gallon. The tank is 20x10x12.

Beyond that if you go with a 175, you will have to have an auto top off. Most clams grow to fast for you to consider as mentioned above, however in a 10 gallon tank you will be fine with a 70 Watt halide. Many people use 150's on tanks twice as deep, and 250's on tanks many times as deep.

[concept3]

milhouse, that's what i mentioned. 70 watts is fine depending on what kind of clams he plans on keeping under it. unfortunately, croceas and maximas need very high intensity lighting, and it's not always a matter of watts per gallon, but rather correct spectrum and useable PAR. My thought process for the higher wattage bulb, is like most of us reefkeepers, he may be able to use that lighting for a larger tank once his clams outgrow his tank, and he won't be limited with the 70 watt bulb. He would be able to keep a larger variety of clams and even SPS if he decides to go that route.

I did the same thing before, i had a 20 gallon tank that housed a single crocea clam and 3 to 4 SPS frags, and in a matter of a year and a half I was looking into getting a larger tank already, and consequently a higher wattage halide. plus if I'm not mistaken, I think he either has or is contemplating in getting a 175 watt halide already.

just my opinion in willing to get his questions answered, not meaning to rattle anyone's cages. I'll go back to my dungeon now.

[darthteddy]

You are correct...I allready have a 175w halide bulb balast reflector and everything. Thats why i opted for it but for space i only had room for a 10g. My hood i have puts the light about 12 inches off the top of the water. It will probaly have a 15h sump. For cooling on the bulb i have 2 120mm CPU fans pushing about 110 CFM each into the hood, and two smaller fans blowing out as well as a few vents. Im working on an Auto Topoff system and im looking into ways to prevent much evaporation. This tank probably wont be set up for another month as i still have to drill it out and get some pumps. For a bulb im probably gonna use a 15kk XM bulb. Is there a bulb better for clams. By that i mean their kelvin rating.

[concept3]

I use 10K's on my SPS/clam tank. 15K's are good too, but I think you get a more "natural" color on their mantles with 10K. Sue Truett, a moderator on clams direct dot com also recommends 6500K which is natural sunlight as the best light to be used, but makes everything else yellow. I currently have 10K's supplemented with VHO actinics, and will be experimenting with 6500K's on my next bulb change just to compare color and growth. If you have the 15K's now, try it out and see how you like them, otherwise go from there.

Have fun!

[milhouse74]

A 175 will be a great bulb, but watch out for the evap.

As far as my comments, I just see so many people chased away from trying something by other with the biggest is best attitude. In a 10, you could keep any clam on a 70 MH as long as you had the right temp bulb. I would probably use a 10K maybe a 14K at most. Certainly not a 20K, you sacrafice too much PAR you are right.

I didnt realise he already had the 175, that will work great, but make sure you are on top of that evap. I used to have a 250 over a 20L and loved it.

David

[gitsumpottery]

I have a clam in a 7g minibow under a 70w halide. I wouldn't dare put any more light on that tank! A 70w would be great for a ten gallon. Plus you can rig up a pretty easy auto-topoff using a battery powered air pump, some tubing and a float switch to keep the salinity in check.

We also have sps in that tank... just have to watch the tank, and do regular water changes.

Zac

[Casey]

Nice clams.

[darthteddy]

I agree those clams look great. I currently have an Ushio 10k bulb but i plan on buying a new XM 10k before i set up the tank. The bulb i have now is pretty old but i got it for free. I have heard that Ushios are on the yellower side of 10k bulbs. On the other hand by balast isnt recomended for use on Ushios. I plan on putting a piece of glass over the top of the tank between the tank and the hood. Hopefully that will cut down on Evap. I also bought 2 120mm Fans for either side of the hood to circulate alot of air through the hood. Can anyone point me in the direction of a cheap but worthy DIY auto topoff system. I have seen some but i havent made up my mind yet on what ill do.