Cleaner clam

[farslayer]

I wanted to know if anyone here has any experience with these, SWF has them on sale for $6 and if they help lower nitrates, I'd love to add a few. I do not have a refugeum (sp), I would like to add them directly to the tank.
Thanks!
Duane

 

[traib]

I have a few. They bury themselves in the sand so you can't see them but every once in a while you'll see puffs of sand and debris come up as the expel water from their syphon. I don't know if the help that much with nitrates, however.

 

[farslayer]

Ah, interesting, thanks for the information. Are they pretty easy to keep? I have 110W PC lighting, low nitrates and phosphates, is there anything I need to do special for them?

 

[aannddyy]

same here i have 44 gal tank and have crushed coral like 1/4 an inch and 17 watts of light can i add them if i do do i have to feed them?

 

[traib]

I haven't done anything for them since I put them in the tank. However, I do feed my invertebrates DT's and other invert food a bit of which I'm sure the clams get. They are filter feeders.

 

[aannddyy]

is CC good? of do they NEED sand?

 

[traib]

They do not need light. They bury themselves in the substrate--you can see them. I have a DSB of sugar sized sand. I don't think 1/4" gravel would be good for them.

 

[aannddyy]

thanks

 

[traib]

Should have said, you can't see them once they settle in and bury themselves. That might take a day or two or it may happen over the first night.

 

[farslayer]

Thanks for the feedback, I think I'm going to go ahead and try a few of these guys. I don't have a DSB, but I do have LS. I may get some more LS and pile it up a bit for them, wouldn't want the guys to suffer any. If they work real well with reducing nitrates, and if I have success with them, I'll make sure to post my results.
Thanks again!

 

[steelrain]

how'd they work out?

 

[farslayer]

I actually haven't bought any as I didn't feel I had the right environment. I've just purchased a 125G tank with wood stand for $450 (awesome!) and I'll be putting a few in there with my 4 to 6 inch DSB It'll be a while before I can get anything in the tank but I have this thread bookmarked as I'm definately posting results.

 

[vwbortoni]

I bought some at the supermaket. They sell them live. $0.33 a piece. I have a dozen.

 

[farslayer]

Do you know what name the stores use for them? I'm trying to find someplace that sells them live, SWF wants $6 a piece, no way I'm paying that!