Clams

[Antdizzle]

How do you know when your ready for one ? know this prob sounds silly but im scared to try to keep as well as grow one. They look great and I really want to add one down the road, just kinda doin a lil research to see what you guys think ?

[crvz]

Clams are actually a bit more tolerant of poor water conditions than other inverts... matter of fact they do a good job of filtering nitrates from the water. The real question is how much space and light do you have? Some of them get 20" plus, and those that are a bit smaller require pretty intense lighting. A derasa clam may be a good addition to your tank, though.

[Loverotties]

Make sure you get one bigger then 3-4" so you won't have to hand feed them for your 1st clam.

[wharyat]

Agreed with Chris. Let us know what you have for lighting.

The high light clams, maxima & crocea, are slower growing (1" to 1.5" per year). Maximas will reach an ultimate size of 14" croceas will hit 6-8"

The others are generally very fast growing clams.

Make sure you have a calcium and alkalinity supplementation plan down, these guys will suck it up very quickly (especially with a low volume of water).

[wharyat]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

Make sure you get one bigger then 3-4" so you won't have to hand feed them for your 1st clam.

This is a rumor that has been dis-proven.

I personally have raised and sold quite a few 1" clams to around 4" with no phyto supplementation.

[Reef Master]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

Make sure you get one bigger then 3-4" so you won't have to hand feed them for your 1st clam.

This is another urban legend that just doesnt seem to go away. You do NOT have to feed your clam no matter what size. Not saying you cant but there is no reason to. I have a derasa that started as a little 2" clam in December and is now less then one year later almost 7". Never feed it once. I also have a 2-3" ultra grade crocea that has great growth marks already and I have had it less then 45days

The best advise I can give you is to start out with the more bullet prove clam like a derasa or a sq. and work your way up for there. Even though a crocea and a maxima are pretty dont start out with one of those. The are more light needy and need a better care schedule. Start out with the other two.......get your schedule down then move on

[Jack jjd]

I have heard from some people (who work at LFS) claim that clams should be fed regularly and I have read books that say sufficient lighting provides all their needs and feeding was unnecessary.
Another person claimed that regular fish feeding should provide the clams all they need without intentional feeding.
I have read articles that stated that so some farms actually place smaller, younger clams in high nutrient tanks (containing readable amounts of Ammonia and Nitrite) to help them grow.
And, like stated above, clams are supposed to be useful at keeping nutrients down in a reef tank.

I have had clams but unfortunately small crabs infested the clams and began to eat them from the inside.

I must have seen some the frags you supply to OC 2, they look really good so you obviously you have good experience in this hobby. I would definitely listen to your advice.

[jenglish]

"I have had clams but unfortunately small crabs infested the clams"

must.... fight... urge.... must... keep..... family friendly

[Jack jjd]

I don't follow your last thread, please clarify.

[Antdizzle]

I have a 90 gal tank 300 watt MH with a 108 watt T5 dual actanics.

[jenglish]

sorry jackjjd, I was taking that quote out of context as an innuendo, you can't say anything around a therapist w/o us taking it the wrong way. I didn't want to explicitly spell out how I was taking it as it was perhaps innapropriate for a family friendly forum and I didn't want to push the envelope. sometimes its better to just shake your head and ignore me

[Antdizzle]

lol wow... what kind of supplimentation plan should I have ? I dose iodine and calcium on water change and top off.

[Jack jjd]

Originally Posted by jenglish

sorry jackjjd, I was taking that quote out of context as an innuendo, you can't say anything around a therapist w/o us taking it the wrong way. I didn't want to explicitly spell out how I was taking it as it was perhaps innapropriate for a family friendly forum and I didn't want to push the envelope. sometimes its better to just shake your head and ignore me

No need to apologize, I just wasn't sure if I mis-diagnosed the problem I had with my clams. I thought, perhaps you had more insight on what pitfalls there are when dealing with clams.

[wharyat]

Originally Posted by Antdizzle

lol wow... what kind of supplimentation plan should I have ? I dose iodine and calcium on water change and top off.

A calc reading of 400+ is good. Alk 8dKh+

No need to dose iodine, water changes will replenish it.

[Antdizzle]

ok thanx