Clams under PC lights?

[rottielover]

Anyone?

[JonShirk]

they seem ok if you ask me, but wouldnt hurt to think they could open up a little bit more...
maybe the lighting? or perhaps they just dont open up so much..

[Doug1]

You might want to invest in this book, it's always been the definative book on Tridacnid clams
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

[Casey]

I would not recommend anything but MHs for clams they just dont thrive and grow well under pcs.MO

[jesspaul]

<soapbox> I wish someone would just get a PAR meter and do some science instead of using "rule of thumb" </soapbox> I have 550w VHO over a 90 and several types of SPS's are growing very well in the upper half of the tank. 12 inches deep in the tank the PAR reads about 100 at the bottom its about 50. I have an open brain and a frog spawn on the bottom that look happy and are growing. I have millipora's and acros growing near the top. For reference the nano in the south facing windows reads 400 in full sunlight at the bottom. I also have a 20 with 250w MH 30 inches from the bottom and I read 250-300 with the PAR meter on its bottom.

As far as mounting the clam I like using old clam shells for them to attach to then you can use epoxy to get it where you want.

[rottielover]

Can you give some data on required PAR value for SPS/ clams ? Does such data exist?

[jesspaul]

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/index...id=6&Itemid=28

above is a link to a lecture by Sanjay Joshi, Ph.D.

http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/...osynthesis.htm

[rottielover]

Those links will make your brain swell Thanks for posting them very helpful!

I think what I gathered was that if your getting 150-200 PAR at the sand level of your tank, your A-OK on lights. 100-50 your doing good...

Now I just have to beg, borrow, or get a loan of a PAR meter

[jesspaul]

I would modify that by saying that the corals that need lots of light like it in the 100-200 range. The LPS I have seem to like it in the 50s. I read an article that I can find now that said that the clams had varing light requirments, I think the crocea had the highest while the derasa were more forgiving.

[rottielover]

I wonder if there are any places that might rent me a PAR meter?

[Casey]

All clams like bright light the croceas just require the strongest par to keep there color and health.I recommend Daniel Knops Giant clam book.

[Sue Truett]

Tridacna clams come in 2 group types. Sand bed dwellers which include the T. derasa, and T. squamosa. These 2 species are a lower lighting needy clam and be kept quite well under vho or pc lighting. The other group are the higher lighting needy clams which are T. maxima and T. crocea. T. crocea is the most lighting needy of all these species of clams. These are also rock dwelling clams but that does not mean wedging them into rock. A clam has got to be able to open and syphon/filter feed.


I also place all my clams in clam halfshells so that they can be moved and inspected for pyramid snails and any other ailments these clams can get. Daniel Knops book is a great read for keeping and learning to id clams and the book Reef Invertebrates by Fenner and Calfo has a clam chapter which is great.

[Casey]

Sue I do not count VHO or pc as low light, I know my vhos and pc are bright

[Sue Truett]

Compared to 400w halides they are probably a bit lower in par value. Plus I think it's what we are trying to light as to how low or high the lighting is to be considered.

LOL...

[Casey]

lol well we all have our opinions.