Clam or not to Clam

[Mafiaman]

That is the question.
Am I right in understanding that without MH lights you cant do clams?
Or is 6w a gallon of VHO enough for clams.(8 lamps 3' long @ 96w run in groups of 4 over a 6'tank) 768w total

[ReefDave]

Well, the watts per gallon thing has kinda been thrown out the window in recent years, as most people to talk about "intensity". You have quiet a bit of light there, but it is spread out over a 6" tank. You didn't say how deep your tank is. If you have a very shallow tank you might be ok with some of the lesser light loving clams. With a deep tank you might have trouble.

You can probably find people that will tell you "oh yeah, I keep em with 2 40w NO's" and you will find just as many screaming "its not possible without MH".

So, all I am really doing here is giving this a bump, and waiting for Casey to show up and tell us whats up!

Dave

[Mafiaman]

72" long, 22" deep 18" wide with 2.5" sand bed, making actual water depth @ 19"-19.5 deep

My wife wants one I hate to disapoint her. ( the tank is in my office )

[Casey]

With the depth of the tank and your current wattage I would go with a Squamosa and give him a try to see how he does should be ok,I wouldnt try any Croceas or Maximas without the Mhs
you wont get the color and growth you want without them,How long has the tank been setup?

[Mafiaman]

tank has been set up roughly 6 months.
I was hoping to avoid the heat Of the Microwave Halid..opps Metal

How much additional MH do you recomend?

[Casey]

Originally posted by Mafiaman
tank has been set up roughly 6 months.
I was hoping to avoid the heat Of the Microwave Halid..opps Metal

How much additional MH do you recomend?

Now 6 months is a little early for clams,they prefer an aged tank at least a year old but I have seen it done at earlier stages,I have 500 watts of MH on my 100 gal,I would go with 250 watters they recommend one Mh bulb every 2 ft of tank I run 9.4 watts a gal on my 100 clams look great,you didnt say what size tank it is Im assuming around 120?

[Mafiaman]

Originally posted by Casey
Now 6 months is a little early for clams,they prefer an aged tank at least a year old but I have seen it done at earlier stages,I have 500 watts of MH on my 100 gal,I would go with 250 watters they recommend one Mh bulb every 2 ft of tank I run 9.4 watts a gal on my 100 clams look great,you didnt say what size tank it is Im assuming around 120?

They call it 135g

What color light do they like?

[Casey]

Well 135 is a great size but I dont see any room in the hood for the MHS unless you redo the lighting which im sure you dont want to,some people will tell you yes you can do any clam with your setup but I have never had the sucess I have now with the MHS I think you would really love the look to.hths

[Mafiaman]

VHO end caps are attached to aluminum runners. I can move the florecents any where I need to. I built the canopy and lighting system myself with as much flexability as posible in mind.

speak the words great clamed ones and if it is necessary I will add 2 X 250 microwave Halids ( I do mean metal )

But please if the heat is not a must I dont want it.

The joys of DIY is you can UN-DIY and still have a clue.

[Casey]

If you can do it I highly recommend MHS there I have said it please get the MHS you will love them and pick up some more fans

[Mafiaman]

Two 250w 10,000k will be here monday

Thanks Casey
Stop calling my chiller ugly , you'll hurt its feelings LOL

[Casey]

lol Glad your getting the MHS throw a table cloth over that thang

[Joel]

If it is an Oceanic 135 its 24.5" tall, you'll love MH if you get them.

[Mafiaman]

O.K. Casey as directed I have installed two 250w Microwave Halids.
My wife wants to know if she can have a clam now.
I told her NO!
Not untill you cook something!

[Casey]

Alright sweet Get that woman a clam