What type of clam can I keep???? If any??

[baugherb]

I just ordered a retro kit that I am going to use over my 5.5 gallon. It will give me 72 watts over 5.5 gallons. The bulbs are 3 PC 10000k/7100blue... What if any type of small clam can I keep under these lights???? It will come out to roughly>>>>13 watts per gallon..... Any help would be greatly appreciated....

[nemo1991]

well i ahve a 55 gallon, with 4x65 watt pc's and i have a 6 inch derasa (sp?) clam in there i just moved him around 8 inched from the top of the tank, i am sure you could keep almost any clam

[baugherb]

I've always wanted one... But I have never had this much light before....

[wildreef]

Well if you've never kept clams before' it might be best if you try the
'less light demanding" of clams like a Squasoma or Derasa.

The maxima's are MORE light demanding.


Remember though these clams have a VARACIUOS APPITITE FOR CALCIUM and,
They filter the water for "nitrates" ,

And personaly' i think one wouldint surrvive to long if you are gonna try to keep one in a nano tank' .
You'll be checking clacium levels ever day and you'll have to allow for some nitrate build up in there.

I think any clam ( if it were to surrive a while in there would most likely deplete all the nitrates from the tank since its so small and and clam of 4/5 inches could reduce nitrates to nill.
And calcium is all another ' important parameter to keep the "levels up" in such a small tank will be some work' ( clams will consume clalcium quickly )

[baugherb]

Thanks for the info....

[amcarrig]

Lighting for clams is less about wattage and more about spectrum, par, etc. You need 10K and true actinic to keep them alive. That's not to say that you can't keep them under pc lighting if you have enough wattage and keep the clam right underneath the lights but the animal will have to stretch its mantle further than usual to catch the light that it uses to live. Just food for thought.

[luvreefs23]

13 watts a gallon isnt enuf for a clam? My God

[baugherb]

LOL!!! I see what you mean amcarrig.... Thanks everyone for your help....

[amcarrig]

luvreefs: That's not what I said.

[baugherb]

I understand.. Should I get a bulb with more actinic to it??