Clam Shopping

[SnowManSnow]

Hey,

I'm considering a clam for my tank. I've noticed some discussion about the SIZE of the clam when bought. What is a good size to purchase for the home aquarium? Is there a minimum size I want to stay away from?

Also, which clams are known to be more hearty (without giving up beauty of course)? Which would make a good choice? I'm running 250w MH 20k tank is 24" Deep...good water movement... parameters .......

Thanks,

B

 

[Anonymous]

Hey,

I'm considering a clam for my tank. I've noticed some discussion about the SIZE of the clam when bought. What is a good size to purchase for the home aquarium? Is there a minimum size I want to stay away from?

Also, which clams are known to be more hearty (without giving up beauty of course)? Which would make a good choice? I'm running 250w MH 20k tank is 24" Deep...good water movement... parameters .......

Thanks,

B

250w mogul or DE bulbs?
Maximas are hardy clams, as are squamosas, gigas and derasas. The only one I MIGHT steer away from for you would be the crocea perhaps (if you are running 250w DE's then disregard this) and the gigas because of size considerations.
I've found clams to be among the least troublesome and easiest to keep of all reef tank inhabitants.

Jim

 

[SnowManSnow]

250w 20k Double Ended

 

[Unarce]

Just consider the nuances of each species. You're lighting is sufficient for all, but I don't remember what size your tank is.

Gigas and Squamosa are notoriously poor shippers, but are hardy once established. Gigas, Squamosa, Derasa (very hardy), and even Hippopus (very hardy and require the least light) will quickly absorb calcium and outgrow a small tank. Maxima and Crocea require the most light and don't grow as quickly.

Choose carefully the specimen. They should have healthy mantle extension, no bleaching areas, and react immediately to shadows. Avoid gaping clams (I don't follow my own advice as I sometimes buy dying clams to nurse back to health) as this is bad (even for Crocea, no matter what others might say).

Then consider placement. See what your reefscape will allow. Gigas, Squamosa, Derasa, Hippopus, and a large maxima are fine on the sand bed. Crocea should be on the reefscape, as well as small and medium Maximas.

Young clams are slightly more dependent on phytoplankton.

 

[liquid]

Depending if you like them or not Hippopus hippopus is a very hardy clam. You don't see too many reefers w/ them either.

Shane

 

[Unarce]

Yes!

Because their mantle doesn't extend over the shell, the contrast is quite attractive when the shell is completely covered in coralline.

 

[liquid]

http://www.george-shells.com/palawan/ar ... _5apr.html

Google Image Search

 

[J.Howard]

The best size to start for most (not sure on hippopus) is at least 3-3.5". They are past the need for regular phyto supplementation and more (usually) acclimated to bright light. (which you have) The smaller 1-2" clams don't need as much light, but will die w/o phyto. My first was a crocea, now that I've had it for a while, I think I've got the clam bug and will be trying to get one of each type, incl. hippopus.

 

[danmhippo]

BTW, I have nothing but praise for Barry at clamsdirect.com. His clams are hand selected and usually sell 3" and above.

 

[SnowManSnow]

oh.. my tank is 37g reef...
30X12X24tall


MJ1200 Remora Skimmer
1200 and 900 PH for movement, along with 1200 skimmer
250w DE MH 20K MH Pendant
Open Top
about 30 lbs of LR

Zoos
Green shroom
BTA
3 color plate coral named plato

Fish: Repopulating after starting tank 6mos ago with damsels

 

[Tackett]

how is ole' Plato? Last I heard you were having some troubles with him.

 

[Unarce]

Some might feel that 6 months is too soon to add a clam. If your system displays steady growth of coralline on the back glass and rock, then it's good indication that the calcification process is healthy.

Considering that you have a 37g, softies, and a BTA, I'd go for a Crocea. It won't outgrow your tank and suck up all of the calcium in your system. Just keep it from getting stung. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I would strongly disagree with those "some". In my experience, as long as the tank is cycled, it's clam time baby. The calcification process is something that happens internally with each individual organism, not something external in the system itself. The tank just needs to be stable, something that with regards to a clam, happens much sooner than 6 months in general.
My current tank was stocked with SPS corals and clams at 3 months.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

The Hippopus clams might not be as flashy as the others but they make up for it by being so hardy. Their mantle is not picked at as much as the other clams by fish and inverts IME.
Andy

 

[Ben1]

The calcification process is something that happens internally with each individual organism, not something external in the system itself

But if P04 is too high in the tank then the calcification process is hindered, this is why coralline algae growth is a good indictation of calcification.

 

[Anonymous]

The calcification process is something that happens internally with each individual organism, not something external in the system itself

But if P04 is too high in the tank then the calcification process is hindered, this is why coralline algae growth is a good indictation of calcification.

Good point as always Ben, but the tank can be cycled, and phosphate levels minimized for a significant period before you see any substantial coraline growth as this is also a funtion of how much coraline is introduced to the system to begin with. Again, it's more a matter of having a stable tank rather than any arbitrary period of time that reefers have decided on.

 

[Ben1]

a funtion of how much coraline is introduced to the system to begin with. Again, it's more a matter of having a stable tank rather than any arbitrary period of time that reefers have decided on.

This is very true.. My 20L was set up with all dry base rock and a very small coraline coated rock. It is just starting to get coraline on the other rocks and glass after almost a year.

 

[Bucktronix]

hey i guess it would be to much to hope i could keep clams with cf lights hey?

 

[SnowManSnow]

Oh.. Plato is doing wonderful. My MH lighting deters the tenticles from extending all the way during the photoperiod, but after they go out, while the room lights are on.. he's waving all over the place.