Help out a Newb

pledosophy · 10-21-2006, 01:47 AM

Hello all.

I am new to this forum but have a question for you experts. I did read the sticky's and several posts, some great info here.

I know it is suggested to get clams over 3" for feeding reasons, but I have some experience in taking care of hard to care for animals and do not mind the work. My level of dedication is high enough that daily target feedings will not be a chore.

This is a nice way of saying I plan to get 2 small clams, bit just over 2". One is a deresa, one is a crocea.

My question is I hae read of two different ways of target feeding, one is to take the clam out of the water and place into a bwl, feed phyto and let sit for about 20 minutes or until all the phyto is absorbed, the other involves keeping the clam in the tank but covering with something like the top of a 2 liter bottle so the phyto will stay around the clam.

It seems that not removing the clam from the water would be the less stressful especially since the feeding will need to be so often. What is your opinion?

The tank is a 20g long with a 150 HQI bulb, the sump is 40g, the system has a total over over 100 lbs of LR. The pod population is ridiculous, all levels are completely stable and desirable. There are currently no fish, only corals in the tank but future tankmates include gobies, blennies, and maybe even a small wrasse.

Thanks.

Casey · 10-21-2006, 09:09 AM

The only problem with feeding in the tank with small clams is it has to be done often and phyto can lead to hair algae outbreaks,if you do choose to do it make sure you do frequent good water changes to remove the pho and stuff added by the phyto.

mg · 10-21-2006, 12:27 PM

With the bowl feeding method, just place the clam in the bowl in the tank and lift out of tank. Add some phyto and let the calm ingest most of it. You can then take out any excess water in the bowl but leave the clam submerger and put the bowl back in the tank to remone the clam. It is best to try to get the clam to attach to a small rock or shell that can be moved around.

pledosophy · 10-22-2006, 10:26 PM

Thanks,

Wiskey · 10-23-2006, 01:39 PM

I attended a Presentation by James Fatherree this weekend at the Oceano conference here in Phoenix and I have to say that I may need to make some updates to my FAQ.

It looks like Clams don't need to be fed if they are under 3", and it also looks like bowl feeding only serves to stress them and clog their gills.

With one exception (the Hipnos clam) Trinadteds are able to get more than 100% of the energy they need from light alone for both Respiration, and a normal growth rate. The Hipnos clam when it's small get's 300% of the energy it needs for respiration from light, but it does not get enough energy to grow at a normal rate until larger.

I know this is contrary to popular belief, but looking at the data, looking at his references, and listening to his presentation he makes a very convincing argument, with the data to back it up. This also goes along with experiences of people buying ORA clams at under 1" and having them grow and live without any feeding of any kind.

I am reading the book right now, it is an amazing book and I highly recommend it. I plan to make an addendum to my FAQ sighting that data when I get done with the book, and the charts within, though I won't change the original article.

Whiskey

pledosophy · 10-26-2006, 04:08 AM

Nice work keeper. Takes a lot to contradict oneself when we learn new things. Thanks for being bold enough to do so.

Wiskey · 10-30-2006, 12:19 PM

I assume by "Keeper" you are talking about me

No prob Pledosophy, I am just trying to put the most current information out there for others, weather I prove myself wrong or not. I often think of the whole field of science as a bunch of people all trying to prove each other wrong, I just cut out the middle man.

I still think it's best for people that are new at clams to get one over 3" though, they seem to be more tolerant of mistakes.

Whiskey

mg · 10-30-2006, 09:26 PM

FWIW I have also raised 4 croceas , 2 of which were under 1" and 2 about 2" without any feeding. And they are all growing happily with just light. Although I always recommended that people do target feed if in doubt, it does seem it is not required. Was there any mention in the talks reguarding the maturity of the tank and if some of the energy was coming from the filtering of phytoplankton in the water? Just wondering what the testing method was that determines a clam is making 300% the energy it needs for respiration and growth from photosynthesis?

Casey · 10-30-2006, 09:50 PM

Its always recommended to feed clams under 3" you cant go wrong with it.

Wiskey · 10-31-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MG

Was there any mention in the talks reguarding the maturity of the tank and if some of the energy was coming from the filtering of phytoplankton in the water? Just wondering what the testing method was that determines a clam is making 300% the energy it needs for respiration and growth from photosynthesis?

I'm not done with the book yet (Stupid work gets in the way) but I can answer some of this.

The testing wasn't done like that, they calculated how much carbon the zoox can donate to the clam, found out how much carbon the clam needs to live and grow/reproduce, figured out how many zoox the clam's have then came to a conclusion for each species. Hippinos clam was the only one that did not receive more than 100% of the energy required for CZAR/g by it's zoox alone when small, it did however recieve 300% of the energy it needs to respire (so it will grow, just slower than if fed).

There was also an example of an experiment done (Studying something else) with filtered/UV sterilized sea water where the clams started from sperm and egg and grew for some weeks (sorry don't remember specifics and I am at work right now), they were never fed, and they lived just fine, that's about as small as you can get. It was noted that they grew a little slower than they normally would in the wild, but the lighting they were being kept under was rather dim when compared with sunlight.

But that's a good point MG, in your home tank Phyto is naturally occuring, plus they feed on all sorts of stuff, including detritus if it's the right size, so they are getting some food anyway.

Whiskey

mg · 11-01-2006, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the explanation Whiskey, I will have to get a copy of that book and do some reading.

Wiskey · 11-01-2006, 12:19 PM

No Prob, I definitely recommend this book. Great reading, Very informative, and great pictures!

Whiskey

pledosophy · 11-01-2006, 09:16 PM

Got my Crocea today.

Acclimating now.

Wiskey · 11-01-2006, 10:04 PM

Pics!! We need PICS!

Cool deal on your new Clam!
Whiskey

pledosophy · 11-02-2006, 05:07 AM

Patience young Grasshopper.

I need to get card reader.