Clams under PC lights?

[rottielover]

Hello,

I have a 125 gal tank and I have two of the orbit strips above it. Total wattage is 520. I've been told from several sources (LFS and Orbit USA) that if I were to take a lux meter to my tank I would find enough light on my tank for SPS and even clams, but everything I've read on the internet seems to suggest that PC light is just not enought for a clam. Originally I was NOT planning on any, but my wife saw the small maxxima's at the LFS on sale for $20 each and asked if we could get one.

I wish I could get my hands on a borrowd lux meter, the LFS does have the clams under MH lights, but just from a visual stand point the clam tanks look much darker than my tank at home. This seemed to be confirmed when I asked the LFS service to come check out my tank and the guy asked about the lights because they were so bright.

Opinions?

[the_colonel]

I have the orbit PC lights also (4X96), and just picked up a big (about 6") Blue lined Deresea Clam from a local reefer. I checked as much research as I could find, and most seem to say "It depends on the clam, and how deep the tank is". The Deresea seems to do OK under PC lights, however the maximas may have trouble, especially if the tank height is too high.
Anyway the clam is doing great in my tank so far, opened up, and seems as happy as a clam. (Sorry, I just had to say that :-))
JP

[rottielover]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tridaclgtgfaqs.htm

Thanks JP

The link above is the website I've done most of my reading on so far. I think it seems to indicate that I *could possibly* place a clam in the top 1/3 of the tank on some LR. Seems that the clams do best with enough light + feedings.

Since I can't seem to get my hands on a lux meter, I think I'm going to buy 1 and place him mid way in the tank and see how he does. If in the few days he isn't doing well I'll place him higher and if doing wonderfully maybe move him down. Sound like a plan?

[the_colonel]

Mine is on the sand, he would be too big to place higher on the live rock, also be aware clams move!!! I would be concerned he will try to move and take a tumble down the rocks.

[rottielover]

I've heard that you can gently "wedge" a clam into LR to keep them from "jumping". I think though for now, IF i do get a clam I'll start him out on the sand, that way if he does OK I'll just leave things alone, if not I can try moving him up the rock face.

[rottielover]

I can't help myself I think I'm going to pickup one of those $20 specials.... I'll make sure to pickup some phyto with him, and I'll probly use the soda bottle method for feeding cause I only plan on 1 clam in such a big tank.

[Clownfishman]

I have a squamosa wedged in between some rocks who is growing... I have him in my 29G with 130 Watts of PC lighting and he is a happy camper

[rottielover]

Is there a proper way to "wedge" the clam in? I tried to gently set him on top of a rock where I thought he could not jump off, but when I checked on him this morning he had fallen off. For now I placed him on the sand...

[rottielover]

well I moved the clam from the sand back to another rock, and again this morning he jumped, even though I thought I had wedged him in good, maybe one of my fish is pushing him off?

Anyway, he's back on the sand in the front of my tank. I'm worried about leaving him there because the tank is 24" deep, so the clam is probably about 20" away from the lights where he's sitting now, and many people say that's too far away for PC lights.

[the_colonel]

Is he opening up down there on the sand?

[rottielover]

Yes, he seems "fully" open to me, looks like he did at the fish store.

[rottielover]

I need to do way more reading about clams, any suggestions? So far I've really only read a short artical on http://www.reefcorner.com/

[the_colonel]

It seems to me, if he is "fully" open, and looks like he did in the store, he should be OK. Someone, please correct me if I am wrong.

[rottielover]

My other concern here is that it's a bit of a "high flow" area, since he's at the front of the glass and the powerheads all aim at the front, the water travels downt the glass then back accross the sand, and I was under the impression that clams don't like a lot of flow.

[rottielover]

Pics of the clam, please someone tell me if he's looking ok.