How to show clam's color

[danmhippo]

Have everyone viewed your clam from above water surface? The coloration is much more intense than viewed from the side as we normally do.

What's the best way to position the clams to show up its flourecent colors the best?

 

[davelin315]

In a pond! You should see them in nature when they are stuck in giant coral heads! If you think they have vibrant colors from above, try and look at one through a mask and swimming around it.

 

[liquid]

You could also construct a "look-down" tank like Gary used to make over at Harbor Aquatics and hang a MH pendant to light it. Marine Ecosystems has one of Gary's "look-down" tanks (dims 4'long x 2' wide x 1' tall) lit with a halide/diamond reflector combo altho it doesn't currently have clams in it. Joy's got some nice look-down tanks in her shop...here's a couple pix of the tanks in question (they're the clear acrylic tanks):

http://liquidreef.freeservers.com/cgi-bin/i/stores/harbor_aquatics/shop1.jpg

http://liquidreef.freeservers.com/cgi-bin/i/stores/harbor_aquatics/Todd_JT_Joy.jpg

http://liquidreef.freeservers.com/cgi-bin/i/stores/harbor_aquatics/clams1.jpg

http://liquidreef.freeservers.com/cgi-bin/i/stores/harbor_aquatics/clams2.jpg

http://liquidreef.freeservers.com/cgi-bin/i/stores/harbor_aquatics/clams3.jpg

I'd love to make one of these someday for clams...

liquid

[ August 24, 2001: Message edited by: LiquidShaneo ]

 

[danmhippo]

Does it make any difference if the tank is acrylic vs. glass when viewed from the side? Or does it matter more where the light source is?

 

[Chucker]

Neither- it has to do with your viewing angle relative to the clam's mantle. The closer to perpendicular, the better.