giant clams

discusking

discusking

Member
I would really like to get a giant clam, but I don't know what speices is best for my set up. I have compact flouresents (one side ultra-actinic the other super daylight) The filteration consists of a LR and eclipse filter. Please post any thoughts. :D :)
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
I do not believe that clams can "only" be kept with MH lighting...I have seen information that they can do very well under PC and/or VHO lighting...but the lighting choice needs to be on the intense side.....for example I use 4x65 watts of 10k pc's combined with 2x110 watts of actinic vho on a 55 gal system...and I am seriously considering the addition of a derasa clam as soon as a decent speciman is located.I have seen pictures that indicate these clams do well under less than MH ...but they do require "high" levels of lighting and should not be considered in systems that are not stable/mature.
 
richard rendos

richard rendos

Active Member
I agree with NM Reef on the lighting. I have seen clams in tanks under VHO that do very well for long periods of time. My concern with clams is whether or not you can provide the amount of calcium and such that a clam requires. Clams will use more calcium than anything else in the tank (except halimeda algae). Keep up with the calcium needs and lighting and they should be fine.
 
don-9

don-9

New Member
Lighting for a clam will depend on the size, type, and location in the tank. I have a deresa about halfway down in a 55 gal with 4 x 95 watt vho lighting. I have had it for several months now and it is doing very well. It opens up very well and is growing fast. I agree with NM reef and Richard, I would put one in a tank that has been up for a while and lots of calcium. I would suggest a small deresa as a first clam if you can find a healthy one with nice colors. I think most of the deresa clams are bred and raised in captivity, they seem to be easy to keep, don't require as much light as the maxima or crocea, and they are relatively inexpensive. Good water quality, good lighting and lots of calcuim.
 
keitho

keitho

Member
i don't know...i still believe that metal halide is the only real viable alternative. BUT, having said that, i recommend a Tridacna derasa clam. they tend to be hardier than others as far as i can tell, and they grow larger. anyway, you can supplement their feeding with live marine phytoplankton. anyway, hope this helps... :)
 
von_rahvin

von_rahvin

Member
friend of mine has 11 clams all under pc's they have been in there for over a year in sime case and they all seem to be floursihing . . I have been keeping 2 clams undr VHOs for a few months now, they seem to be alright and they have grown. i just keep them near the op of the tank.
 
discusking

discusking

Member
thanx for all you help. What would you use to keep the calcium high, how high should it be maitained. I currently use Kent calcium 1ml a day is this the best way to go? :D
 
ky

ky

Member
I have three clams in each of my tanks. I have no MH lights! I use only VHO. I have some of my clams for as long as 6 years. We need to not make statements like "MH is the only thing that will work" with no actual facts to back them up. Obviously, that isn't true because mine are huge, old, and thriving. Any light will work as long as it is the correct spectrum and power.
 
k.lee

k.lee

Member
Originally posted by DiscusKing:
<strong>thanx for all you help. What would you use to keep the calcium high, how high should it be maitained. I currently use Kent calcium 1ml a day is this the best way to go? :D </strong><hr></blockquote>
Depends on your alkalinity, otherwise kalkwasser, will lways do the job. BUT IT MUST BE ADDED VERY SLOWLY (A SLOPPY SITUATION AT BEST). Kalkwasser, or limewater must be dripped into a tank because of it's high alkalinity.
I've had great growths of coralline algaes in mt fowlr with kalwwasser, but as mentioned, it is unsightly.
I'm experimenting with B-Ionicas and Kent in my current reef.
HTH
Lee
 
sharkbait

sharkbait

Member
I use 2 x 175 MH before that I had 6 x 55 PC's. If you do the math 350watts vs 330watts. The only reason I did this was to give my tank top some breathing room. The PC's covered my entire top and made it difficult to put things in and out of the water. When I changed to MH I gained access to my tank. My 3 maxima's did very good in both conditions. My tank temp remained about the same. Because I have more breathing room I did get more evaporation <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" /> . Make sure you have plenty of light and check your cal and alk levels. Clams are hardier than people think. Becareful where you place them. I put one on a rock higher up. When I later wanted to move him he would not let go of the dam rock. :mad: Gook luck
 
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