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Should clams be dipped?

13K views 22 replies 9 participants last post by  Jnicho  
#1 ·
Have some T&D clams coming Monday... am I correct in the thinking I SHOULD NOT dip them before adding them to my tank.
 
#2 ·
i personally would not do it as they all clams are touchy ... but i would just acclimate and add...they really dont carry any parasites just an invert...you shuold be fine...if they dont make it it has something to do with your water quality or lighting...keep chocolate chip stars away they ate mine...
 
#3 ·
Clams can carry pyramid snails which will kill them if not removed. There is also speculation about new clams introducing pinched mantle or other clam specific problems to your existing clams (if you have any already). Clams can be freshwater dipped (not RO/DI) for a few minutes with no problems. I have also used Revive Coral Cleaner without any ill effects.
 
#6 ·
take the advice from the pros...maybe i just get lucky but i dont qt or dip anything ... i watch and spectate at my lfs before i buy...make sure everythings good and buy it if i want it but like i said thats my personal way these guys have other methods and may work better then mine but i am ok with what i have been doing and it works for me
 
#13 ·
Pretreating for pests has nothing to do with how you take care of your system or what equipment you use. If you put corals from the LFS, an online retailer or even a local reefer then you will eventually get one pest or another. Sometimes it's a minor problem that requires a simple treatment and other times it will result in a total loss. After putting so much time and money in your tank, can you really not justify taking some minor precautions to avoid a major problem?

Red bugs, flatworms, AEFW's, sundial snails, pyramid snails, isopods, nudibranchs and a host of other unwanted pests are all lurking out there and the odds are against you.
 
#14 ·
I dip everything. These four clams will be my first. I had heard dipping clams would hurt them. I was trying to clarify whether or not a CLAM should be dipped. All other corals in my tank have been dipped and QT'd. Was told clams were different. Has anyone had experience dipping a clam themselves?
 
#18 ·
Been there, done that, LOL!

I just posted this in a similar thread:

Most people don't dip in the beginning...if they stay in the hobby for long enough they generally get some nasty infestation and at that point become an advocate for dipping...it's one of those things that lots of people say "I don't dip and everything is fine"...then it happens to them and they find out what the rest of us were talking about, LOL!

Unfortunately as human beings we just aren't willing to learn from others mistakes often enough!
 
#19 ·
If you dip you are still playing Russian roulette. Most dips are comparable to those wide spectrum medications sold for fish and we know they rarely work.. They can only target a few things and most of the time can lessen the chance but the chance is still there. They might weaken the pest but not kill them, they might kill some and not all, and there may be a pest that the dip will not even touch. Just because you dip does not mean you are safe.
 
#20 ·
I have to disagree somewhat...IMHO dipping new corals in a "quality" product greatly decreases the chances of introducing a myriad of pests...true, it's not a 100% guaranteed...and there are some pest that are not effected...but there are many that are...it's cheap and easy and I can tell you first hand I've seen many pests die during my dips...it is most effective when used in conjunction with QT as dipping often does not effect unhatched eggs that may be on the coral...so QT/monitoring the coral and possible re-treatment is the best option.