clams reducing nitrates

[snailheave]

i've heard that adding clams and such can reduce nitrates because they consume the planks in the tank.
of course i understand that they are no magic nitrates sponges or something that can reduce a 100ppm to 20ppm. but is it possible to reduce nitrates from say, 40 to 20, by introducing a couple of clams?

 

[cholland]

Not sure about clams reducing nitrates, but some good macro algae would sure help.
Do you have a refugium set up?

 

[fastmarc]

I would suspect that like coral, they too might might make use of nitrates, but it wouldn't be able to impact your tanks nitrate level, especially if you having a nitrate problem.
Maybe adding a refugium with a DSB would help especially it you are able to reap macro algae from it.

 

[fishking]

i think they do, cause i never have been able to lower my trates down to 0 but when i got my clams, after my month it became 0

 

[jimlssc24]

I am not sure about what they do. But! I know they clean the water. I had 16 claims in my 100 gal and my water was as clear as rubbing alcohol.
:yes:

 

[yosemite sam]

Clams can reduce nitrates in your tank, but they, especially tridacna clams, require excellent water conditions, along with good lighting, etc. As fastmarc and some others pointed out, getting the cause of the nitrates under control is a much better solution. What is your tank setup like? How old is the tank? Do you have a lot of fish? How often do you feed them? Do you have a refugium or other type of nutrient export?

 

[snailheave]

i dont have a refugium. i do have a lot of fish for a 75g. i perform a 5% change every week. i have MH light. i think i do overfeed, but only because food gets sucked into overflow too quickly.

 

[yosemite sam]

Yeah, if you have a lot of fish and are over feeding, clams aren't going to help much. How many fish do you have, and what kinds? Also, what do you feed your fish? There are foods out there that will sink, or at least not stay right at the surface.

 

[fastmarc]

You might even consider turning off a few pumps while you feed.
Getting to the bottom of your nitrate problem is the way to go.
Sounds like your excessive feeding might be part of the problem.
It might also be the type of food you are feeding.

 

[snailheave]

i have 12 small fish, for a total of about 17"
i feed them cyclop-eeze which is rich in omega-3