Do clams loose color?

[rkm]

Just wondering if clams loose their color? If so what may do this, and can it be corrected.
I bought this clam about 8 months ago. Back then I thought It had more color in it. Since I bought it. It has grown, and the mantle is much bigger. Or it opens up much bigger.
The color is a brownish/pink kind of color. You can see specks of blue, and green in it also.
Is their anything I can do.
The CA is at above 400, the ALK is a tad low. I have 2 250w 10k MH's and 2 small 25w blue T-5's.
Any ideas? Still looks healthy. The shell is about 4"
Here is a picture from the top. It showes the colors better. It is very close.

 

[rkm]

here is one from the side. It showes a good view of the mantle sticking way out.

 

[texasranchers]

Hey Ryan, where is your t. Crocea located? Up, midway, or down in tank? Also need to know the depth of your tank. How often do you feed?

 

[reefer44]

yea depth would help
but, 250w should easily be enough light...from the pics he seems a little bleached (could be flash or jsut the picture)....not sure try feeding some phyto..i don't really feed my clams after about 4 inches and your looks about that size...but i notice a little better color when i feed with dt's........mid flow seems the best too
give some more peremeters and i will be able to help more hopefully
Good Luck
Brad

 

[rkm]

Lets see here the clam is 18' from the top of the tank. The lights are 11' from the top of the water. The bulbs are from about November. I am thinking they may need to be changed by now.
I will need to do some water testing. Its been a little while. I am leaving for a wedding. I'll be able to post something tomorrow.
My estimates are Low PH. and alk around 6 that is the normal. I cant seem to keep those up.
am I able to regain color at allllll?:help:
I do feed DT's I need to get some new stuff. What I have is out dated. I have been using it. My tube worm seems to like it. For it has been responding to my more frequent feedings. To be honest I was lacking on the DT's. I forgot about it. I don't know how. I got the bigger clam hoping I wouldn't have to rely on DT's.

 

[reefer44]

i would ehter move the clam higher or the lights lower...it should be maybe a total of 18 inches from those bulbs...you can get away with less but 18 for max color....also get your alk. back in line it will help the color alot............also try keeping your calc at 450-500 it seems good for the structure of the clam (not always size but hardness)
also try B-Ionic to keep ph and alk in line..it doesn't work to great for calcium but does wonders for my alk.
with this all said..if you do this it should be behond the color when you first got it
Good Luck
Brad

 

[texasranchers]

18" from lights. Ok so it probably isn't bleached by MHs10k.
Mine changed a little color then I realized it had scooted under a rock or a fast fish sort of knocked it. Therefore shading it. The side that was out looked 'normal' while the other side was darker. I repositioned it better and it looks as happy as a clam.
On the feeding, I think a lot has to do with how much you have in your tank for him to feed on. But I still do supplemental feeding about twice a week with DTs.
I am pretty sure he will regain color. Just check on your lights. A t.Crocea has the highest need for lighting. t.maxima next with t.Squamosa close.

 

[reefer44]

also when you get new bulbs i would try 12k's or 14k's they will work wonders with all your coral colors...
Brad

 

[rkm]

Ok guys. I may be reading some of the post incorrectly. My clam is 18" down in the tank. The MH's are 11" above the water. So the light is 29" away from the clam. I read in a few books that you are "supposed" to keep your MH's at 10-12" above the tank. and the 250 watt bulbs should pierce water up to 24 inches deep. I thought I was fine.
Here are my test results via Salifert.
Salinity 1.02
PH 7.7
Nitrate 25
KH in dkH 7.04
Alk 2.51
Ca 470
I know I need to do a water change. Do I need to raise or lower anything.
What I am looking at is
add some salt. 1.02 is low
add some PH buffer that should bring up my PH and Alk thus lowering my Ca a little.

 

[texasranchers]

Did I just confuse myself again????
You are right, 29" difference.

I want to be right.

 

[rkm]

Just an update. I have raised my salinity to acceptable levels. I have also kept my Ca and Alk dKH levels where they need to be. So far the result is ADDED color.:jumping: It is noticable doing better. Even my mushrooms are expanding again. I also noticed some algae turning green not just the purple I have. All looks to be doing good.

 

[reefer44]

sounds like the clam is on the way to perfect recovery...glad to hear your tank is doing good

 

[rkm]

Well its almost been 1 month. I must say my clam looks as good as the day I got em. What do you think?

 

[neowind]

Wow that was an amazing recovery did the salt lvl change help it that much or did u do something else?

 

[rkm]

Thanks I am so happy:jumping: Well I raised the salinity, adjusted the PH a little, kept my CA, and Alk/dKH in check. I owe it all to this forum and everyone in it

Souns like a won an award:thinking:

 

[reefer44]

that looks really good

 

[squidd]

Excellent recovery on the Clam..:yes:
Shows the importance of testing levels on a regular basis to maintain them in the correct range...
As well as the importance of having test results "in hand" when asking for advise/help...

 

[stuckinfla]

I noticed you said nitrate 25:notsure: that could have been the prob. Congrats on the recovery, he looks great!!

 

[rkm]

no not the nitrates. Those levels are still the same. I didn't get my ro/di unit yet. 25 isn't life or death. But it isn't far I guess.