Few clam questions

Discussion in 'Clams' started by Moby Duck, Jul 11, 2012.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. Moby Duck

    Moby Duck Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    May 3, 2012
    Messages:
    475
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    My tank has been set up for about 5-6 months and I have my eye on a clam at a LFS. I have a standard 55 gal with a 4 bulb t5 fixture. Do clams need a lot of light? Would he do ok in my tank? If so where would I place him in my tank?
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2009
    Messages:
    19,258
    Location:
    Sparks, NV
    You have plenty of light. The position is dependent on the clam. Crocea and maxima clams should be on the rocks and near the middle to top the rest will be fine on the sand.
     
  4. skurious

    skurious Sailfin Tang

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
    Messages:
    1,720
    Location:
    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Just do your reasearch on each clam type and find oe that you are happy with that will coexist with your setup.

    I personally have a Crocea on the sandbed on a clam craddle rock thing I got with it. But i have AI SOL's so i have plenty of light on the sand
     
  5. NanaReefer

    NanaReefer Fu Manchu Lion Fish

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2011
    Messages:
    1,911
    I am running 4x24w t5ho I've had my Tridacna Crocea for 9+ months. It is on top of my LR in a clam shell about 11" from the lights. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1342032496.759200.jpg
     
  6. Greg@LionfishLair

    Greg@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2011
    Messages:
    1,095
    Location:
    Coastal So. CA
    IMHO, you have enuff light to keep one of the lower-light species such as T. derasa, T. squamosa, T. gigas, or H. hippopus, all of which are substrate-dwellers.

    T. maxima and T. crocea require more intense lighting, esp. the "ultras" or other highly-colored specimens. These clams do best when kept in the rockwork, as the lighting is more intense there, and these clams are rock-dwellers in nature. T. crocea has very fine gill structures which can become clogged, esp. if there are any "sandstorms" in your tank.

    That being said, you could probably keep a gold-colored maxima in your rockwork as they require less intense lighting than the colored specimens.

    You'll want your temp and pH to be solid, and your temp should be less than 80*F for clams. Feeding the tank a quality live phyto preparation a couple of times a week will help the clams grow, as will providing them with ample Ca for shell growth (you'll want 400 - 475 ppm of Ca).

    HTH
     
    1 person likes this.
  7. Moby Duck

    Moby Duck Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    May 3, 2012
    Messages:
    475
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    I was thinking of getting one from here

    http://www.aquacon.com/clams.html

    I really want the teardrop maxima but would it do well?? I'm not sure it would

    If not the tridacna squamosa would do ok right??
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2009
    Messages:
    19,258
    Location:
    Sparks, NV
    I have had my maxima for around 2 years and my Crocea around 1.5 years under 4 T5HO bulbs and they have thrived. They are about 2/3 up from the bottom of the tank and about 12" under my lights.
     
  10. Moby Duck

    Moby Duck Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    May 3, 2012
    Messages:
    475
    Location:
    Oklahoma
  11. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Unfortunately you can not really wedge clams. Best is to get a tile or another clam shell or flat rock and let the clam attach to that and then move them up in the rock work.

    A clam should not be buried but resting on the top of the sand or a flat surface as mentioned above.

    Depressions in LR worked well for me in the past, but it must be a secure spot where the clam can move back and forth without falling off the rock work.
     
  12. Moby Duck

    Moby Duck Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    May 3, 2012
    Messages:
    475
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    So the clam actually moves?? Like an anemone? I saw a post on here about a clam kit, does anyone know about these? Woul it work